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Advantest’s Test Handler Patents Infringed in Taiwan
Petition of Preliminary Injunction Filed
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TOKYO, Japan -– February 8, 2006 -- Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857, NYSE: ATE), the global leader in semiconductor test systems, has announced that certain semiconductor test handlers manufactured by TechWing, Inc. (CEO: Jae-Gyun Shim, headquarters: Youngin City, Republic of Korea; hereafter TechWing) allegedly infringe Advantest’s Taiwanese patents. The company therefore on February 8 filed a petition of preliminary injunction with the Hsinchu District Court in Taiwan, seeking that imports to that country of the handlers in question be suspended.
The said petition alleges that TechWing has infringed patents registered in Taiwan by Advantest (nos. 086750, 111444, and 106527). These patents cover basic design of semiconductor test handler structure and the company strongly believes that TechWing had infringed them. This patent right enforcement in Taiwan follows a suit filed by Advantest against TechWing in Korea in December 2004, alleging that TechWing’s semiconductor test handler models TW282, TW292, and TW320 infringed the patents that were already granted to Advantest in Korea, requesting that TechWing desist from such infringement, and seeking damages. That case is still underway. The company is considering the possibility of taking action in other countries where it has applicable patents registered.
The petition filed in Taiwan and the lawsuit in Korea highlight Advantest’s tough policy on intellectual property rights. As the holder of several thousand patents worldwide, the company is committed to the use of its intellectual capital for sustained technological innovation and improvement of corporate value. The decision to take steps against TechWing in Taiwan and Korea sends the message that Advantest considers defense of intellectual property rights as a matter of global responsibility.
Please Direct Further Enquiries To
Legal Department tel: 03-3214-7578 |
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Advantest Corporation is the world’s leading automatic test equipment supplier to the semiconductor industry, and also produces electronic and optoelectronic instruments and systems. A global company, Advantest has long offered total ATE solutions, and serves the industry in every component of semiconductor test: tester, handler, mechanical and electrical interfaces, and software. Its logic, memory, mixed-signal and RF testers and device handlers are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA, and now has 40 subsidiaries worldwide. Among them, Advantest America, Inc. is based in Santa Clara, CA., and Advantest (Europe) GmBH is based in Munich, Germany. More information is available at www.advantest.co.jp. |
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