Nanometrics Believes KLA-Tencor Patent Infringement Claim Has No Merit; Lawsuit Possibly Motivated by Competitive Issues Rather Than Intellectual Property Rights.MILPITAS, Calif. -- Nanometrics Incorporated (Nasdaq:NANO), a leading supplier of advanced integrated and standalone metrology equipment for the semiconductor industry, today announced that it has received notice of a patent infringement patent infringement n. the manufacture and/or use of an invention or improvement for which someone else owns a patent issued by the government, without obtaining permission of the owner of the patent by contract, license or waiver. lawsuit brought by KLA-Tencor Corporation (KLAC), alleging infringement of US Patents No. 6,483,580 (the '580 Patent) and 6,590,656 (the '656 Patent).Nanometrics believes that KLA's lawsuit is primarily motivated by competitive concerns rather than a desire to protect its intellectual property. Nanometrics firmly believes that its products do not infringe any valid claim of the '580 or '656 patents and will aggressively pursue its defense to this infringement action. In addition, Nanometrics is examining all of its options with respect to the intellectual property rights related to its superior technologies. Nanometrics CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. John Heaton John Heaton may refer to:
About Nanometrics Nanometrics is a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high-performance process control metrology systems used in the manufacture of semiconductors, integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. and flat panel displays. Nanometrics metrology systems measure various thin film properties, critical circuit dimensions and layer-to-layer circuit alignment (overlay) during various steps of the manufacturing process, enabling semiconductor and integrated circuit integrated circuit (IC), electronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon. The circuit, often called a chip, is packaged in a hermetically sealed case or a nonhermetic plastic capsule, with leads extending from it for manufacturers to improve yields, increase productivity and lower their manufacturing costs. The Company maintains its headquarters in Milpitas, CA, with sales and service offices worldwide. Nanometrics is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol NANO. Nanometrics' website is: http://www.nanometrics.com. Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. Statement: This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements related to the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. and our intellectual property portfolio. Actual results may differ materially from those projected due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, the strength of our intellectual property rights and technology, trends in our industry and commercial and strategic agreements. These and other risks are detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. , filed on March 23, 2005, and all subsequent filings. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion