*AV*--Real sly, guy. Now that I have the time<GG>, I can learn how to o marvelous things like this<GG>. One question though, How do you know what number reply a person is posting. All I can see is that my reply is to #2631026 post.
For those interested in some recent AMAT developments, the following article, after market close, struck a nerve. AMAT may actually lose this one which would probably result in AGAI being taken over by AMAT.
This "storyline" will be interesting to watch as it unfolds.
I have purchased a few thousand shares of AGAI on the prospect of something happening within the next year on this.
Monday November 3 4:46 PM EST
Company Press Release
AG Associates Files Cross Complaint Against Applied Materials for RTP Patent
Infringement
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1997--AG Associates (NASDAQ:AGAI), the pioneer and a leading supplier of
advanced, single-wafer rapid thermal processing (RTP) equipment used in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs), announced today
that it has filed a cross complaint against Applied Materials Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.), in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of California (San Jose), for the infringement of a process patent held by AG Associates.
In April 1997, Applied Materials filed a complaint against the Company for infringement of certain of its technology.
According to AG Associates, its United States Patent No. 4,331,485, entitled Method for Heat Treating Semiconductor Material Using
High Intensity CW Lamps, pertains to processes employed by AG Associates' semiconductor processing equipment. The cross
complaint alleges that Applied Materials infringes upon this patent with the manufacture, use and sale of its RTP Centura(TM) systems,
which utilize this patented technology to heat wafers.
The cross complaint seeks damages and an injunction against the further manufacture, use and sale of Applied Materials' RTP Centura
systems.
AG Associates' patent, issued May 25, 1982, covers fundamental rapid thermal processing technology using high intensity lamps to heat
semiconductor material. Commenting on the cross complaint, AG Associates' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Arnon Gat
stated, ''We will vigorously assert our patent position against Applied Materials on this fundamental rapid thermal processing technology.
We believe this action is necessary to protect the enormous investment we have made in our core business technology and the critical
intellectual properties we have amassed over the years.''
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release, including the Company's plans to assert its patent claims, are
forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from
those projected, including the uncertainties of ongoing negotiations, unpredictability of litigation and other risks detailed from time to time
in the Company's SEC reports. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information in this release.
AG Associates is a leading supplier of rapid thermal processing equipment to the worldwide semiconductor industry. Founded in 1981,
AG Associates is headquartered in San Jose, and maintains customer service and support centers in the United States, Europe and Far
East to support its global customer base. The company's common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol AGAI.
For more information on the company, visit AG Associates at: agassociates.com on the World Wide Web.
Andrew |
