SUFFERN, NY, October 16, 2001 - Acticon Technologies LLC (Acticon) has entered into a license agreement with Keithley Instruments, Inc. (Keithley), a Cleveland, OH designer and manufacturer of electronic testing and measurement devices. As part of the agreement, Acticon stipulated to withdrawing its patent infringement lawsuit against Keithley, filed two weeks ago in New York. General Patent Corporation (GPC), an intellectual property management firm headquartered in Suffern, New York, represented Acticon in this transaction.
Acticon's "smart connector" patents cover specific aspects of PC cards used in mobile computer communication, networking, and instrumentation control. More than 85% of PC cards used today are licensed under the Acticon patents.
Under the license agreement, Keithley is paying a 3% royalty for past and future sales of its PC cards. Keithley also acknowledged that the Acticon patents are valid, enforceable and infringed.
"This is the 28th license agreement that General Patent has negotiated on behalf of Acticon for its smart connector technology," noted Alexander Poltorak, chairman and CEO of GPC. "Although this technology, and the patents protecting it, continue to be of significant value to companies involved in computer connectivity and communications, this technology is also widely used for other applications, including electronic testing and measurement devices. We are pleased to license the Acticon patents to Keithley - a leading player in this market," Dr. Poltorak added.
"Our patents have become a de facto standard in the PCMCIA industry," stated Steven Farago, Acticon's chief technologist and an inventor of the licensed patents. "We are happy to extend a license to Keithley, the first vendor of electronic testing and measurement devices to license our patents. We hope other companies in this industry will follow suit," Dr. Farago added.
The Acticon patents had been extensively litigated in the past. GPC has brought six patent infringement actions, all of which resulted in the defendants licensing the Acticon patents. Three lawsuits are presently pending.
About Acticon Technologies
Acticon Technologies LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Patent Corporation, is a computer connectivity and communications technology company based in Suffern, NY. Acticon's award-winning smart connector technology is based on U.S. Patent Nos. 4,603,320 ("Connector Interface"), 4,686,506 ("Multiple Connector Interface"), 4,972,470 ("Programmable Connector") and 4,543,450 ("Integrated Connector and Modem"). Acticon Technologies offers non-exclusive licenses under these patents on attractive terms. For licensing terms contact Paul Lerner at (845) 368-4000 x104.