Court identifies single issue to remand to trial court
Flanders, New Jersey (August 23, 2011)—On Monday, August 22, 2011, the U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in Rudolph Technologies’ long-running patent infringement case against Camtek, Ltd. in the Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota. In its opinion, the Appellate Court affirmed multiple rulings from trial at the District Court level including finding Rudolph’s U.S. Patent No. 6,826,298 valid, the part of the infringement ruling based on the finding that Camtek’s Falcon product strobes “based on velocity,” and the dismissal of Camtek’s claim against Rudolph for inequitable conduct against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The court did, however, revise one claim construction ruling made by the District Court in the original case and remanded it back to the trial court. Robert Koch, Rudolph’s vice president and general counsel, stated “While we are disappointed that the court did not affirm all aspects of our verdict against Camtek, we are very pleased to note that the court determined that our patent is valid and that the remaining issue before the District Court is one about which we feel very confident.”
As part of its ruling, the Appellate Court sent a single issue back to the District Court for resolution in a “limited” proceeding that relates to whether Camtek’s Falcon product creates a model using multiple, discrete wafers. “As Rudolph presented solid evidence that Camtek uses multiple whole wafers with the Falcon to train the system, we look forward to a prompt and favorable resolution to this matter with the reinstatement of the judgment of infringement, damages and the permanent injunction,” said Mr. Koch.
Rudolph Technologies, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, development, manufacture and support of defect inspection, 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 yield management solutions are used in both the wafer processing and final manufacturing of ICs, as well as in emerging markets such as 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, 2010 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.
For more information, please contact:
Investors
Steven R. Roth
973.448.4302
steven.roth@rudolphtech.com
Trade Press
Virginia Becker
952.259.1647
virginia.becker@rudolphtech.com