To: sbeckbal who wrote (22693 ) 11/11/1997 3:49:00 PM From: Glenn D. Rudolph Read Replies (1) | Respond to
Rockwell Files Suit Against Bay Networks
Business Wire - November 11, 1997 15:18
%ROCKWELL-SEMI %CALIFORNIA %ILLINOIS %COMPUTERS %ELECTRONICS %COMED %TELECOMMUNICATIONS V%BW P%BW
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1997--Rockwell Semiconductor Systems Tuesday announced that it has filed a suit against Bay Networks charging that the company has breached its K56flex high-speed modem technology licensing agreement with Rockwell. According to Rockwell, Bay Networks' current business practices violate its K56flex licensing agreement with Rockwell and their actions competitively disadvantage K56flex licensees. "Rockwell is committed to ensuring a level competitive playing field for all K56flex licensees," said Dwight Decker, Rockwell Semiconductor Systems' president. "We have been trying to resolve this issue with Bay Networks for quite some time and are disappointed that we now must ask the court to enforce the terms of our K56flex licensing agreement. We believe litigation of this sort is yet another unfortunate consequence of the delay in the deployment and approval of a global 56Kbps modem standard," Decker added. "We will continue our efforts to help forge an ITU standard as quickly as possible in order that the market can move to a common interoperable specification." K56flex is an interoperability specification supported by the vast majority of the world's leading data communications equipment manufacturers including Internet access providers, PC manufacturers and PC retail modem makers. Rockwell is assistant editor of the draft specifications that will serve as the basis for this eventual ITU standard. All K56flex chipsets that Rockwell ships are software-upgradeable to an eventual ITU standard for 56Kbps modems. Rockwell Semiconductor Systems and Electronic Commerce, based in Newport Beach, is a leading worldwide provider of semiconductor system solutions for personal communications electronics and systems, software and services for the global call center industry. Rockwell Semiconductor Systems comprises five divisions -- Personal Computing, Network Access, Personal Imaging, Wireless Communications and Digital Infotainment. Personal Computing is a leading supplier of
communications and media processing products for the PC. Network Access offers a broad line of high-bandwidth communications and networking devices including central site modems, xDSL, LAN, ATM and T1/E1 transceiver products. Digital Infotainment focuses on products for the digital consumer electronics information and entertainment markets. Personal Imaging is the world leading supplier of devices for facsimile products and develops and manufactures semiconductors for multifunctional peripherals, printers, personal video and digital imaging products. Wireless Communications develops cordless and cellular chipsets, GPS, power amplifier and front end receiver components for all major wireless standards. The Electronic Commerce Division, based in Wood Dale, Ill., is a leading supplier of call center systems and personalized electronic commerce applications software. Rockwell is a global electronics company with leadership positions in industrial automation, semiconductor systems, and avionics and communications, with FY97 sales of approximately $8 billion and 45,000 employees. Rockwell's world headquarters is located in Costa Mesa, in Orange County, Calif.
CONTACT: Rockwell Semiconductor Systems
Eileen Algaze, 714/221-6849
eileen.algaze@nb.rockwell.com
or
The Benjamin Group Inc.
Carolyn Fromm, 714/245-7500
cfromm@oc.tbgi.com
