Follows the revocation of similar patents owned by CommScope Inc subsidiary Andrew LLC in Europe and China and will open the U.S. market for competition
SAN JOSE, California, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Ltd. ("Comba" or the "Company", Hong Kong Stock code: 2342), through its U.S. subsidiary Comba Telecom, Inc., has filed a lawsuit against Andrew LLC and CommScope, Inc. seeking to invalidate eight of Andrew LLC's patents covering remote electrical tilt (RET) antennas. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Comba took this action to protect its ability to compete in the U.S. market after legal actions initiated by CommScope, through its Andrew LLC subsidiary, focusing on the alleged infringement of patents by Comba related to RET technology for base station antennas used in wireless networks.
The patents in dispute are U.S. Patent Nos. 6,198,458; 6,538,619; 6,600,457; 6,567,051; 6,590,546; 6,603,436; 6,346,924; and 7,518,552. These patents are closely related to the three patents owned by Andrew LLC that were recently revoked by the European Patent Office. Comba believes these patents to be invalid based on prior art (pre-existing publications that show the inventions are not new or are publicly known). This basis includes the prior art references identified by the European Patent Office.
The patents in dispute are also part of the same patent family that Andrew LLC has asserted against Comba in China and Brazil. Comba refers to the press statements dated August 22, 2011 and June 17, 2011 regarding these ongoing litigations.
Comba places strong emphasis on intellectual property and has acquired a substantial volume of patents. The Company will continue to devote resources to research and development and extend the technological edge of its products and solutions among its peers.
About Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Limited
As one of the leading wireless solution providers in the world, Comba is primarily engaged in the R&D and manufacturing of wireless enhancement products including RRU, base station subsystems & antennas, and wireless access systems. The Group also provides complete turnkey solutions and services to its global customers. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Comba's global operations include manufacturing platforms in China, R&D centers in China and the USA, and over 40 offices worldwide. Since December 2003, Comba has been a constituent stock of the MSCI China Small Cap Index. In September 2009, Comba was named "Asia's 200 Best Under A Billion" by Forbes. Since March 2010, it has been included into the Hang Seng Composite Index Series (under the Information Technology category). In May 2011, Comba secured winning places in five categories in FinanceAsia's Top Companies Poll, namely, "Best Mid-Cap" (first place), "Most Committed to a Strong Dividend Policy", "Best Corporate Social Responsibility", "Best Corporate Governance", and "Best Managed Company". For further information, please visit: www.comba-telecom.com
For press enquiries:
| Strategic Financial Relations (China) Limited | ||
| Mr. Marcus Keung | Tel: +852-2114-4967 | Email: marcus.keung@sprg.com.hk |
| Ms. Janice Au | Tel: +852-2864-4874 | Email: janice.au@sprg.com.hk |
| Ms. Katty Cheung | Tel: +852-2864-4850 | Email: katty.cheung@sprg.com.hk |
| Ms. Pinky Li | Tel: +852-2864-4830 | Email: pinky.li@sprg.com.hk |
| Ms. Fanny Yuen | Tel: +852-2864-4838 | Email: fanny.yuen@sprg.com.hk |
| Fax: +852-2527-1271 | ||
