Business News
Kyocera and SPH America LLC Reach 180-Day Standstill Agreement in Intellectual Property Litigation
Friday 17. July 2009 - Agreement stipulates dismissal of all pending cases between the parties
Kyocera Corp. (NYSE:KYO), Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Communications Inc. (collectively “Kyocera”) have reached a 180-day standstill agreement with SPH America, resulting in the dismissal of multiple pending legal cases under the jurisdiction of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of California and the Eastern District of Virginia. SPH America has agreed not to institute litigation during the 180-day period.
Affected cases are:
In re Certain Wireless Devices and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-675 (U.S. ITC)
SPH America LLC vs. Kyocera Corp., et al., Civil Action No. 08-CV-2146 DMS (RBB) (San Diego, CA)
Kyocera Wireless Corp. vs. SPH America LLC, Civil Action No. 09-CV-0299 W JMA (San Diego, CA)
SPH America LLC vs. Kyocera Corp., et al., Civil Action No. 09cv276 MSD (TEM) (Eastern District, Virginia)
SPH America filed an action for patent infringement against Kyocera on July 9, 2008 in the Eastern District of Virginia, and the case was subsequently transferred to the Southern District of California on Kyoceras motion. Since that time, Kyocera and SPH have traded lawsuits in district court and the ITC, all of which will be dismissed by the standstill agreement.
“With a 50-year track record of innovation and more than 20,000 patents awarded globally, Kyocera believes strongly in the honorable and appropriate use of intellectual property,” said Terry Lingren, VP at Kyocera Wireless Corp. “Not only do we respect the rights of others, but we strongly protect the sanctity of our own patents, and will fight vigorously to protect our good name and reputation against those we believe are making unwarranted claims of infringement.”