FormFactor Seeks Relief from the US International Trade Commission for Infringement of Six US Patents
November 14, 2007
November 14, 2007
Company asks ITC to institute an investigation against MJC and Phicom extending beyond the patent infringement allegations of the ongoing federal court actions
LIVERMORE, CA — November 14, 2007 — FormFactor, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORM), an industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of semiconductor wafer probe cards, announced the filing of a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”) seeking institution of a formal investigation by the United States government into the activities of Micronics Japan Company, Ltd., MJC, a Japanese corporation and Phicom Corporation, a Korean corporation. In the ITC complaint, FormFactor requests a permanent exclusion order banning importation of infringing products into the United States.
“This latest filing supports FormFactor’s long-term commitment to deliver mission critical products that reduce our customers’ overall cost of test,” said Igor Khandros, CEO of FormFactor. “The protection of intellectual property rights provides an important incentive for innovation and enables our continuing investment in research and development. The ITC investigation is a part of our comprehensive strategy to protect our IP on a global basis.”
FormFactor has previously filed patent infringement actions in US federal courts against MJC and Phicom. The requested investigation encompasses US Patent Nos. 5,994,152, 6,509,751, 6,615,485, 6,624,648, 7,168,162 and 7,225,538, and overlaps with each of the previously filed federal court complaints, but also asserts additional US patents against both MJC and Phicom. The company is also asserting certain of its Korean patents against Phicom in patent infringement proceedings in Korea.