Aus, please tell me this isn't the suit that we expected to be decided in January.
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SanDisk Corporation Loses Patent Case to Lexar Media
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 1999--
SanDisk Defeated on All Counts as US Patent and Trademark Office
Panel Finds Lexar First Inventor and Rightful Owner of
Key Flash Technology; Validity of Lexar's Patent Stands Undisputed
Lexar Media, a leading supplier of High Performance Digital Film(TM), today announced it has won a patent interference case filed by SanDisk Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK) with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Lexar's patent (No. 5,388,083) is a fundamental invention in the area of flash memory wear leveling under the direction of a controller device, a core technology used in solid-state flash storage devices, including Lexar's digital film cards. Lexar's decisive victory on all grounds effectively ends a proceeding filed by SanDisk in 1995 and leaves Lexar's patent claims valid and intact.
"There has never been any doubt in our mind about the validity of our patents," said John Reimer, President and CEO of Lexar Media. "As the court has agreed, we were the first to invent this ground-breaking technology that is protected by one of our many patents. Throughout the years we have dedicated a tremendous amount of resources and effort to develop a substantial body of intellectual property that is now a valuable part of our business."
Lexar holds key patents on designs, processes and techniques that chip designers may need in order to build low-cost, high-speed flash storage products. The company's rich portfolio of intellectual property includes 15 U.S. granted patents, 15 U.S. patent applications and many foreign patent applications. Lexar intends to capitalize on its significant number of patents by offering licenses for its advanced technology.
Three Judge Panel Grants Lexar Media's Motion
On October 6, 1999, a three judge panel of the US Patent Board of Appeals and Interferences granted all but one of Lexar's motion to dismiss SanDisk's interference claims. This judgement upholds the validity of patent No. 5,388,083 and enables Lexar Media to enforce its rights under the patent.
SanDisk Withdraws Motion for Judgement Against Lexar's Patent
Claims
On October 25, 1999, SanDisk withdrew its third and final motion for judgment against the unpatentability of Lexar's patent claims. Accordingly, all of the claims of the Lexar patent remain valid and in tact, and have been given a 'clean bill of health.'
"The court's resounding decision in Lexar's favor and SanDisk's withdrawal of its motion for judgement against our patent is a clear indication of the strength of our position," said Carlton Osborne, General Counsel and Director of Business Development at Lexar Media. "With this victory, we have more ammunition with which to continue to vigorously defend our intellectual property rights."
Lexar's substantial amount of intellectual property is an important part of its business strategy to both grow and protect its core business. The company plans to extend invitations to other companies to discuss potential license agreements for high-speed storage flash products for other non-digital camera products and will take appropriate steps to protect its intellectual property from anyone who chooses to infringe on Lexar's patents. |
