BERNIN, France, Sept. 3, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Soitec:
-- Silicon Genesis' "indefiniteness" motion to invalidate the patent
rejected
-- Silicon Genesis' motion to reduce the jury decision of USD
3 million in damages for patent infringement rejected
-- Soitec will appeal to have all the patent's claims validated
Soitec, the world's leading supplier of SOI* wafers, today announced that Silicon Genesis has failed in an attempt to have Soitec's Smart Cut(r) patent invalidated by the US Federal Court in Massachusetts.
The Court rejected SiGen's claim that Soitec's US patent no. 5 374 564 was invalid due to indefiniteness.
The Court also rejected Silicon Genesis' motion for a reduction to the USD 3 million damages payable to Soitec. The sum of USD 3 million was awarded by the jury who had found Silicon Genesis guilty of patent infringement.
Andre-Jacques Auberton-Herve, Chairman of Soitec, said: "We are very happy with the Court's recent decision concerning Silicon Genesis. Among other things, it confirms that our Smart Cut(r) patent has not fallen into the public domain as some people may have presumed. We are therefore fully confident as to the outcome of our intended appeal."
About Soitec
Soitec is the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of SOI* wafers for the semiconductor industry based on Smart Cut(r) technology. Soitec produces the most extensive range of fine layer advanced materials for microelectronics, which features its UNIBOND(r) products.
Soitec shares are listed on the Nouveau Marche of Euronext Paris (Sicovam code 7206). Soitec warrants and OCEANE bonds are also traded on the Nouveau Marche of Euronext Paris.
* Silicon On Insulator