AmberWave Systems Invited to Testify on Patent Reform and Impact on Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs.

AmberWave is one of Five Entities Invited to Submit Testimony to the Committee on Small Business

SALEM, N.H. -- AmberWave Systems, a leader in the research, development and licensing of advanced technologies for semiconductor manufacturing, is one of five entities who have been invited to testify at a hearing entitled, "The Importance of Patent Reform on Small Business." Other organizations include the U.S. Patent & Treasury Office, Proctor & Gamble, the National Venture Capital Association, and the Innovation Alliance, a coalition of entrepreneurial companies seeking to enhance America's innovation environment and competitiveness through improved patent quality.

The hearing, to be led by House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH), will be driven by the Committee on Small Business of the U.S. House of Representatives and is scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, March 29, 2007.

The patent reform measure was originally introduced in 2006, but did not pass. To-date, the patent reform debate has been largely a discussion between "big tech," which wants sweeping changes and "big pharma," which does not. The overall issue of the hearing will focus on the roles technology transfer-oriented firms play in the U.S. economy and how difficult should patents be for companies to obtain, defend and, coincidentally, infringe.

"Many of the nation's largest manufacturing firms are advocating major changes to our country's patent laws," said Bryan Lord, vice president of finance & licensing and general counsel for AmberWave Systems. "These proposed changes would make patents harder and more expensive to obtain, less certain and harder to rely upon after issuance, more difficult and expensive to enforce, and easier and less costly to infringe."

AmberWave, a small business located in Salem, N.H., provides a bridge between promising research within universities around the world and commercialization of the results of that research. AmberWave, which holds more than 180 patents and has raised $91 million in venture capital funding, licenses their products and manufactures them in limited quantities. AmberWave believes the government should proceed with caution in pursuing patent reform and will be testifying about this to the Committee.

"Naturally, these changes would have a severe and negative impact on University technology transfer, angel and venture capital investing, and small patent-dependent technology companies such as AmberWave," Lord added. "I am grateful for the invitation and interest shown by the House Small Business Committee in this very important issue."

About AmberWave Systems

Founded in 1998, AmberWave Systems has become a leader in the research, development and licensing of advanced technologies for semiconductor manufacturing. By funding and guiding university research, AmberWave Systems is bringing new technology developments to fruition through patents and technology licensing. In conjunction with its university research projects, AmberWave Systems conducts its own research, development and limited manufacturing in its semiconductor fabrication facility in Salem, New Hampshire. In addition, AmberWave Systems collaborates with other technology focused companies to further expand and develop its research. For more information about the company, please visit its Web site at http://www.amberwave.com/.