Agilent Technologies Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Elan Microelectronics

Agilent Technologies Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Elan Microelectronics Corp. for patent infringement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit alleges that Elan infringes Agilent's U.S. Patent No. 5,786,804 and U.S. Patent No. 6,433,780 relating to optical mouse sensor technology.

Agilent is seeking to stop Elan from selling infringing optical mouse sensors to companies manufacturing optical mice that are imported, distributed or sold in the United States. Agilent also is seeking damages from Elan for its unauthorized use of Agilent's patented optical mouse sensor technology.

"During the past 15 years, Agilent has invested extensively in optical navigation sensor research and development and has produced more than 100 imaging and navigation patents," said Young Sohn, president of Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group. "We will protect our vital corporate assets and research and development investments by taking aggressive legal action against companies that we determine are violating Agilent's patents."

Agilent previously filed a lawsuit against PixArt Imaging Inc. alleging that PixArt infringed Agilent's U.S. Patent No. 6,433,780, which relates to optical mouse sensor technology. In October 2004, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a motion by Agilent to add two patents (U.S. Patents No. 5,686,720 and 5,786,804) to the pending patent infringement lawsuit against PixArt.

"Agilent has the most comprehensive range of optical sensor solutions, and we continue to invest in innovative new products to expand our sensor offerings," said Sohn. "Agilent's award-winning, high-performance laser mouse sensor is yet another example of our technology leadership in this market."

Agilent Optical Mouse Sensor Solutions

Agilent pioneered position sensing for mouse technology and supplies these products to all major optical mouse manufacturers worldwide, having shipped more than 300 million sensors to date. Agilent provides a broad portfolio of mouse sensors, ranging from inexpensive, entry-level LED-based models to high-precision versions. Since their introduction, optical mice powered by Agilent's optical sensing technology have become the standard in computer input devices. Agilent's recently announced laser mouse technology is expected to revolutionize the mouse industry again. More information about Agilent's optical and laser navigation sensors is available at www.agilent.com/view/opticalnavigation.

Further technology, corporate citizenship and executive news is available on the Agilent news site at www.agilent.com/go/news.

Agilent Technologies Inc.
Michele Drake, 650-752-5296
michele_drake@agilent.com
Mark Alden, 408-435-6905
mark_alden@agilent.com