TORONTO, Ontario, Sept. 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Skylink Technologies Inc., a worldwide company distributing wireless garage door openers, home security and monitoring products, today announced that on August 31, 2004, Judges Gajarsa, Linn, and Prost of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, have ruled in favor of Skylink and against Chamberlain Group affirming that Skylink did not violate the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
"We are extremely pleased with the Court's decision in respect to Chamberlain's allegations. This ruling will encourage free market competition which ultimately benefits the end-user," explained Philip Tsui, CEO of Skylink Technologies.
Skylink Technologies was targeted by the Elmhurst, Illinois-based Chamberlain Group, for distributing aftermarket compatible, universal transmitters for garage door openers (GDOs). Chamberlain alleged that because Skylink's transmitter could open a Chamberlain-brand GDO, it violated the DMCA. The DMCA legislation was passed by the US Congress in 1998 to amend the U.S. copyright law by strengthening the protection for authors and other "content creators" in the face of widespread duplication of content -- due in part to the proliferation of digital technologies
"We believe that Chamberlain's attempt to use the DMCA against Skylink was simply an effort by a large corporation to limit a much smaller company's ability to compete in the marketplace and offer alternative choices to consumers." Tsui added, "Skylink did not infringe on copyright laws in respect to the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and therefore we are pleased to announce that we will continue to offer our garage door system to our customers."
As a result of this ruling, companies cannot hide under the DMCA to suppress competition. The consumers will benefit from the third party products with lower prices and more features.
The Illinois District Court correctly ruled that Chamberlain pled no connection between unauthorized use of its copyrighted software and Skylink's accused transmitter. The District Court ruled in favor of Skylink because the connection is critical to sustaining a cause of action under the DMCA. The Federal Circuit court rejected Chamberlain's argument, saying that DMCA prohibitions must be tied to copyright rights to fit the balance copyright embodies; therefore, the Federal Circuit Court affirmed the summary judgment in favor of Skylink.
About the Skylink Group
The Skylink Group understands the needs and concerns of the homeowner in providing a safe haven and comfortable environment for their family. Established in 1990, the Skylink Group has offices in Brampton, Ontario, Canada; Ontario City, California, and Hong Kong. RF Design, electronic design, software design, mechanical design and graphic design departments for new and existing product lines are housed in the Hong Kong offices.
Contact Skylink Technologies at: 17 Sheard Avenue, Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6Y 1J3 Phone: (905) 456-8883; Fax: (905) 456-7819 Website: www.skylinkhome.com