Knowles Electronics, LLC announced today that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled definitively that MEMS microphones made by Knowles’s current manufacturing process will not be affected by the patent case brought by Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI). This decision clears the way for Knowles to continue selling and importing these products without impact from the case.
The ITC Investigation was initiated in December 2009 based on ADI’s allegation that Knowles’s MEMS microphones infringed two patents that covered processes for the manufacture of these devices. Knowles no longer uses the processes at issue in the ITC case, having transitioned all of its production to one of its manufacturing processes that ADI did not accuse of infringement during the ITC investigation. The ITC has now expressly affirmed an earlier ruling that products manufactured under Knowles’s current process would not be subject to any exclusion order issued by the ITC. The ITC’s decision also made clear that imports by Knowles’s customers who incorporate Knowles’s microphones into their products may continue without interruption, regardless of the process used to manufacture those microphones. As a result, Knowles expects its operations and its customers’ operations to continue as normal.
Commenting on the ruling, Jeff Niew, President and Chief Executive Officer of Knowles Electronics, said: “We are pleased by the Commission’s favorable ruling which allows us to continue to supply MEMS microphones manufactured under our existing process. Further, this decision confirms that our customers can continue to import products containing our microphones as usual and without interruption. We look forward to continuing to provide our customers around the world with the industry-leading technology and quality service they’ve come to expect from Knowles.”
Peter Loeppert, Chief Technical Officer of Knowles Acoustics, said: “Our company and industry rely on innovation to meet the needs of customers around the world. We are pleased with the ITC’s ruling and remain dedicated to bringing pioneering products to the market to help our customers win in their marketplace.”
About Knowles — Founded in 1946, Knowles is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, with offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide. Knowles is the leading designer and manufacturer of advanced acoustic components. Its microphones and receivers are the standard for the hearing health industry. Knowles is also the leading provider of MEMS microphones for major cell phone companies and consumer electronic devices. For more information visit the Knowles website at www.knowles.com. Knowles is owned by the Dover Corporation, a multi-billion dollar diversified producer of innovative equipment, specialty systems and value-added services. Visit www.dovercorporation.com for more information.
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CONTACT: Knowles
Mike Adell, 630-250-5100