The Jury Clears Ali Niknejad of all Silicon Labs' Allegations
IRVINE, Calif., April 11, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axiom Microdevices Inc. today announced that on April 6, 2006, a federal jury unanimously rejected Silicon Laboratories' claim that Axiom Microdevices misappropriated any technology or infringed any patent rights of Silicon Laboratories Inc.
The jury also returned a verdict finding in favor of the co-defendant, Ali Niknejad, concluding that he did not misappropriate any technology from Silicon Labs.
"We are grateful for this jury's verdict," said Brett Butler, president and chief executive officer of Axiom Microdevices. "As a startup, it is challenging to remain focused while defending against a long-term attack by a company with the financial means of Silicon Labs. This jury exhibited remarkable insight into the evidence and concluded accurately that Silicon Labs' claims were without merit and, most importantly, that Professor Niknejad should be completely exonerated."
In summary:
-- The jury rejected all 16 of Silicon Labs' patent-infringement
claims.
-- The jury rejected Silicon Lab's tortious interference claim.
-- The jury rejected 14 out of 15 trade-secret misappropriation
claims made by Silicon Labs.
-- The jury rejected all claims by Silicon Labs that any of its
technology had been misappropriated.
The jury found in favor of defendant Axiom Microdevices on all trade secret misappropriation issues, except one relating to Silicon Labs' business/commercial trade secrets, which concerned the possession of a data sheet. Although the jury found that the misappropriation was done with malice, fraud or gross negligence, the jury further determined that Silicon Labs suffered no financial damage by this misappropriation and, therefore, was not entitled to any actual or punitive damages.
Axiom Microdevices introduced the world's only fully integrated CMOS-based power amplifier in February 2004. Axiom Microdevices' innovative and unique power amplifier technology is manufactured in 130nm CMOS and works independent of any package or module. Axiom Microdevices' current generation of CMOS power amplifier products are fully qualified, meet GSM/GPRS specifications, and are ideal for dual-band, tri-band and quad-band mobile telephones.
About Axiom Microdevices Inc.
Founded in 2002 with patented breakthrough technology developed at the California Institute of Technology, Axiom Microdevices Inc. is the first company to use commodity complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes to produce fully integrated power amplifiers for the cellular telephone market. This technology creates breakthroughs in cost reduction and integration. Axiom Microdevices has assembled a diverse team of recognized leaders who focus on providing the best product with the highest quality and support to its worldwide customer base. (www.axiom-micro.com)