ASML expresses disappointment that Nikon has opted for unnecessary and unfounded legal action over patents
April 24 2017 - 4:05AM
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ASML believes Nikon's claims are without merit
and will defend itself vigorously
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This sort of unnecessary patent litigation
distracts from driving technology forward for the benefit of chip
makers
-
ASML has made repeated efforts to negotiate an
extension of its patent cross-license agreement with Nikon
-
Nikon has not engaged seriously with ASML and
has instead chosen to commence legal proceedings
VELDHOVEN, the Netherlands, 24 April 2017 - ASML
Holding NV (ASML) notes the announcement by Nikon that Nikon has
filed a legal claim for alleged patent infringement against ASML in
three countries. ASML has not yet received a notification of a
legal action and categorically denies any infringement
allegations.
ASML believes that Nikon's claim is without merit.
We will defend ourselves vigorously against the allegations and we
will consider all means at our disposal.
As disclosed in further detail in our annual
report and on Form 20-F, ASML and Nikon in 2004 concluded a patent
cross-license agreement. Some patents were perpetually licensed;
for others, the license period ended on 31 December 2009. A
transitional period, during which the parties had agreed not to
bring suit, ended on 31 December 2014.
Peter Wennink, ASML President and Chief Executive
Officer, said: "Nikon's litigation is unfounded, unnecessary and
creates uncertainty for the semiconductor industry. Over the past
years, ASML has made repeated attempts to negotiate an extension of
its cross-license agreement with Nikon. We are disappointed that
Nikon did not make any serious efforts to negotiate and has opted
for legal action instead. We continue to believe that a negotiated
outcome would have been preferable for the industry, which thrives
on innovation and collaboration. This sort of unnecessary patent
litigation distracts from what is truly important: driving
technology forward for the benefit of chip makers. We should
compete in the marketplace and not in court."
About ASML
ASML is one of the world's leading manufacturers of chip-making
equipment. Our vision is to enable affordable microelectronics that
improve the quality of life. To achieve this, our mission is to
invent, develop, manufacture and service advanced technology for
high-tech lithography, metrology and software solutions for the
semiconductor industry. ASML's guiding principle is continuing
Moore's Law towards ever smaller, cheaper, more powerful and
energy-efficient semiconductors. This results in increasingly
powerful and capable electronics that enable the world to progress
within a multitude of fields, including healthcare, technology,
communications, energy, mobility, and entertainment. ASML is a
multinational company with offices in 60 cities in 16 countries,
headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. We employ more than
17,000 people on payroll and flexible contracts (expressed in full
time equivalents). ASML is traded on Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ
under the symbol ASML. More information about ASML, our products
and technology, and career opportunities is available on
www.asml.com.
Media Relations
Contacts
Netherlands: Lucas van Grinsven +31 6 1019 9532, Monique Mols +31 6
5284 4418, Niclas Mika +31 6 201 528 63
United Kingdom (Brunswick): Chris Blundell, Ambre Tanty-Lamothe +44
207 404 5959
Germany (Brunswick): Oliver Thompson +49 69 2400 5539
United States (ASML): Brittney Wolff-Zatezalo +1 408 483
3207
United States (Brunswick): Eric Savitz +1 415 671 7676
China (Brunswick): Ziya Yang +86 10 5960 8623
Taiwan (ASML): Karen Lo +88636236639
Taiwan (Brunswick): Teresa Li +852 3512 5043
Japan (Pathfind): Hiryoyuki Sera +81-3-6721-5095,
sera@pathfind.co.jp
South Korea (ASML): Jay Kim +82 10 8972 0633
South Korea (Signature): Nuri Hwang +82 2 364 7001,
nuri@thesignature.co.kr
Brunswick can also be contacted at
ASML@brunswickgroup.com
Investor Relations
Contacts
United States: Craig DeYoung, +1 480 696 2762
Netherlands: Marcel Kemp, +31 40 268 6494
Regulated Information
This press release contains inside information
within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse
Regulation.
Forward Looking
Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements, including
statements relating to Nikon's actions against us, our view of the
claims and plan to respond and the potential impact on the
semiconductor industry and statements with respect to Moore's
law. These statements are not historical facts, but rather
are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and
projections and you should not place undue reliance on them.
Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and
involve risks and uncertainties. Potential adverse outcomes of
patent litigation may include, without limitation, payment of
significant monetary damages, injunctive relief prohibiting the
sale of products, and/or settlement involving significant costs,
any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and/or results of operations. In
addition, defending against any such claim could result in
substantial legal fees and could divert the attention of key
management and technical personnel and we are unable to predict the
outcome of this action/claim at this time. Other risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation, risks indicated in the
risk factors included in ASML's Annual Report on Form 20-F and
other filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. These
forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this
document. We do not undertake to update or revise the
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Link to Press Release
This
announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf
of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely
responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: ASML Holding via Globenewswire
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