Taiwan MediaTek Denies Infringing On ESS Tech Copyrights
Tuesday October 1, 12:58 am ET
TAIPEI -(Dow Jones)- Taiwanese chip designer MediaTek Inc. said Tuesday it hasn't infringed on any copyrights held by U.S.-based ESS Technology Inc. (NasdaqNM:ESST - News) .
MediaTek said it develops its own digital video disc, or DVD, software and has never used ESS' DVD firmware products, according to a company statement filed at the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
The statement came after the U.S. DVD product developer said Monday that it filed a lawsuit alleging MediaTek intentionally and unlawfully used copyrighted DVD firmware for its Swan and Vibratto products.
In a press release Monday, ESS Technology said it is seeking damages and is asking the court for a preliminary and then permanent injunction to stop MediaTek's products and DVD players containing those components from being imported into the U.S.
Technology companies commonly turn to the courts to settle intellectual property disputes that can arise out of real violations or, in some cases, to hurt competitors' sales.
MediaTek, which is now Taiwan's largest chip design firm in terms of revenue, has grown at a lightning pace over the past two years. It is also being sued by Oak Technologies, another U.S. company, for infringement on its semiconductor designs.
Midday Tuesday, MediaTek shares were down 2.3% to NT$295 (US$1=NT$34.933), while the main index was down 1.1%.
-By Dan Nystedt, Dow Jones Newswires; 8862-2502-2557; dan.nystedt@dowjones.com |
