Rudolph Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: RTEC), a leading provider of process characterization equipment, lithography equipment and software for wafer fabs and advanced packaging facilities, today announced another favorable ruling in its ongoing patent infringement suit against Israeli manufacturer, Camtek, Ltd.
On March 31, 2014, Judge John R. Tunheim ruled in Rudolph’s favor finding that Camtek's Falcon products infringed Rudolph's US patent no. 6,826,298, which covers continuous inspection of wafers using strobing illumination.
“The judge’s ruling is a significant milestone toward Rudolph ultimately prevailing in this case. With this decision, the court has confirmed that Camtek was in violation of Rudolph’s patent with its tool offerings, obviating the need for a limited trial reflected in the Federal Court of Appeals order back in August of 2011,” said Robert Koch, Rudolph's vice president and general counsel. “We will continue to pursue this case vigorously to bring it to a successful conclusion for Rudolph.”
Rudolph will petition the court to reinstate a permanent injunction against the sale by Camtek of its infringing semiconductor inspection systems. Rudolph also anticipates that the damages originally awarded by the jury in 2009 will be reinstated, as well as related interest and all subsequently awarded damages.
A subsequent lawsuit has additionally been filed by Rudolph, alleging infringement of Rudolph's US patent no. 7,729,528, also for an Automated Wafer Defect Inspection System And A Process Of Performing Such Inspection, by each of Camtek’s current inspection tool offerings.
About Rudolph Technologies
Rudolph Technologies, Inc. is a
worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of
defect inspection, advanced packaging lithography, process control
metrology, and data analysis systems and software used by semiconductor
device manufacturers worldwide. Rudolph provides a full-fab solution
through its families of proprietary products that provide critical
yield-enhancing information, enabling microelectronic device
manufacturers to drive down the costs and time to market of their
products. The Company’s expanding portfolio of equipment and software
solutions is used in both the wafer processing and final manufacturing
of ICs, and in adjacent markets such as FPD, LED and Solar.
Headquartered in Flanders, New Jersey, Rudolph supports its customers
with a worldwide sales and service organization. Additional information
can be found on the Company’s website at www.rudolphtech.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) which include projections
related to the protection of its intellectual property as well as other
matters that are not purely historical data. Rudolph wishes to take
advantage of the “safe harbor” provided for by the Act and cautions that
actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of
various factors, including risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond Rudolph’s control. Such factors include, but are not limited to,
results of future litigation and the challenges presented related to the
enforcement of its patents. Additional information and considerations
regarding the risks faced by Rudolph are available in Rudolph’s Form
10-K report for the year ended December 31, 2013 and other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. As the forward-looking
statements are based on Rudolph’s current expectations, the company
cannot guarantee any related future results, levels of activity,
performance or achievements. Rudolph does not assume any obligation to
update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
Contacts:
Investors:
Steven R. Roth,
973-448-4302
steven.roth@rudolphtech.com
or
Guerrant
Associates
Laura Guerrant-Oiye, 808-882-1467
Principal
lguerrant@guerrantir.com
or
Trade
Press:
Amy Pauling, 952-259-1794
amy.pauling@rudolphtech.com