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Technology Stocks : Lucent Technologies (LU) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Techplayer who wrote (8367)	6/29/1999 1:40:00 AM
From: puborectalis	Respond to of 21876

Monday June 28, 10:55 pm Eastern Time Lucent sues Micron over patents WILMINGTON, Del, June 28 (Reuters) - Lucent Technologies Inc has sued Micron Technology Inc, alleging that Micron products infringe seven Lucent patents, that Lucent products do not infringe six Micron patents, and that Micron breached a patent license agreement. In papers filed late Friday in the U.S. District Court in Delaware, Lucent said the dispute stemmed from a 1988 cross- licensing agreement between AT&T (NYSE:T - news) and Micron. Under the agreement, AT&T paid no royalties for its use of the Micron patents, but Micron was required to pay AT&T a royalty for any products covered by the AT&T patents. When Lucent was spun off from AT&T during the 1996 restructuring, Lucent ''inherited'' the patent licensing agreement with Micron. The 13 patents in question, issued from the years 1980 to 1997, include such inventions as cellular mobile communication systems and semiconductor memory devices. On Friday, Lucent terminated the agreement ''due to Micron's failure to remedy its breaches of the PTA (patent licensing agreement),'' court papers say. Lucent alleged that the breach was revealed by an audit which indicated Micron had under-reported royalties. Lucent said Micron owes it a total of $7 million in royalties and late fees. In the lawsuit, Lucent said Micron has alleged that Lucent products infringe six Micron patents. Lucent has alleged the Micron patents are invalid and has rejected Micron's demand for royalties. Lucent, of Murray Hill, New Jersey, makes communications systems and software, data networking and business telephone systems, and microelectronic components. Micron, of Boise, Idaho, makes semiconductor products and personal computer systems containing semiconductor memory products like dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and synchronous dynamic random access memory (SRAM) products. Lucent is also seeking an award of unspecified compensatory damages tripled for ''wilful'' infringement. Lucent has also asked the court for compensatory damages for Micron's alleged breaches of contract, and for late fees of three percent over the prime rate. No one at Micron's Boise offices could be immediately reached for comment.

To: Techplayer who wrote (8367)	6/29/1999 1:40:00 AM
From: A. Edwards	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 21876

Lucent Technologies Ascending to New Heights: Reason for Report: Merger with Ascend Completed June 25, 1999 Merrill Lynch & Co. Michael E. Ching, Timothy P. Long Highlights: · As expected, Ascend's shareholders approved the company's merger with Lucent today.As a result, each outstanding share of Ascend common stock will be converted into 1.65 shares of Lucent, valuing the merger at approximately $24 billion. · Lucent continues to emphasize its ability to provide end-to-end networking solutions as a key competitive advantage. Accordingly, the company announced the creation of a broadband networks group that includes both Ascends' internetworking products, and Lucent's optical and communications software groups. The synergies between these divisions are expected to generate greater revenue growth. · Since this merger was originally announced, the level of interest in next generation broadband networks has accelerated. With this successful acquisition, Lucent appears well positioned to emerge as a leading supplier in this area. In fact, we expect a couple of contract awards to be announced over the next several weeks. · Combined with some administrative savings, management continues to believe that this merger will add $0.03-0.05 in EPS in fiscal 2000. Our current fiscal 2000 EPS estimate of $1.55 already reflects this. · The biggest issue will be Lucent's ability to retain key sales and development personnel. At this time, we believe the turnover rate has been normal. · With growing demand for next generation networks, and a successful acquisition in this area under its belt, we believe that Lucent stock should trade at 2-1/2 times its growth rate, or 45-times our calendar 2000 EPS estimate of $1.62.

To: Techplayer who wrote (8367)	6/29/1999 12:16:00 PM
From: The Phoenix	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 21876

One joke at a time. Maybe LU should spend more time and more money competing and less time looking for patent infringements. I, as a shareholder, do not view this as productive. These suits have born little fruit and have taken away much needed capital for investing in new products. Furthermore creating animonsity amongst what could be partners is counterproductive long-term. Yeah yeah.. I know they should protect their patents. And indeed they should...when they are blatant violations. But when they go digging for dirt..into patents that are by internet terms ancient..it's ridiculous. OG