Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) today announced that the United States District Court for the Northern District of California has ruled that Synopsys is the sole owner of the '114 Patent in the litigation between Synopsys and Magma Design Automation. The Court further ruled that Synopsys and IBM are co-owners of the '446 and '438 Patents. In its ruling, the Court confirmed that Magma does not have any ownership interest in the patents or in any of the fixed timing inventions that are at the core of Synopsys' claims against Magma, and which Magma has used as the foundation for its products. Magma has also been ordered to transfer to Synopsys and IBM a number of additional patent applications that had been pending throughout the world.
"This outcome clearly demonstrates that Magma built their products on technology they do not own," said Brian Cabrera, general counsel for Synopsys. "The Court's ruling confirms that Magma misappropriated 73 patented inventions, and rejects Magma's previous argument that it had any ownership interest in these inventions. With clear ownership established, we can now move to the infringement phase of this case."
The Patent applications to be immediately transferred are:
* United States Patent Application Nos. 10/828,547, 11/245,530 and
11/246,451,
* Japan Patent Application no. JP20000526885T,
* Israel Patent Application No. IL136709D,
* Canada Patent Application No. CA2317538,
* European Patent Application No. EP1040435, and
* International Patent Application No. WO9934310.
Earlier this month, the Court ordered Magma to withdraw its claim of ownership to the '446 and '438 patents and transfer title to Synopsys. The title transfer was completed on January 4, 2007. The trial to address Synopsys' claims of patent infringement and related issues against Magma has not been scheduled.
About Synopsys
Synopsys, Inc. is a world leader in EDA software for semiconductor design. The company delivers technology-leading semiconductor design and verification platforms and IC manufacturing software products to the global electronics market, enabling the development and production of complex systems-on-chips (SoCs). Synopsys also provides intellectual property and design services to simplify the design process and accelerate time-to-market for its customers. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California and has offices in more than 60 locations throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. Visit Synopsys online at http:/www.synopsys.com.
NOTE: Synopsys is a registered trademark of Synopsys, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.
Editorial Contacts: Investor Contacts: Yvette Huygen Lisa Ewbank Synopsys, Inc. Synopsys, Inc. 650-584-4547 650-584-1901 yvetteh@synopsys.com
SOURCE: Synopsys, Inc.
CONTACT: Yvette Huygen, 650-584-4547, or yvetteh@synopsys.com, or
investors, Lisa Ewbank, +1-650-584-1901, both of Synopsys, Inc.
Web site: http://www.synopsys.com/