MPS Wins in Patent Dispute Against O2 Micro at ITC

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) (Nasdaq: MPWR), a leading fabless manufacturer of high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, today announced that the Administrative Law Judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission issued an initial determination finding no violation of Section 337 for MPS and its customers, an action brought by O2 Micro International, Ltd. in 2008.

The determination concludes that none of MPS's products accused by O2 Micro infringes its Patent No. 7,417,382 (the '382 patent).

"We are delighted by the results announced today," said Michael Hsing, CEO of MPS. "MPS has successfully defended several of O2's patents from the same family as the '382 patent. This is the third patent infringement action brought by O2 Micro against MPS in which O2 Micro's asserted patent claims have been found to be not infringed, invalid, or both. We will continue to defend our products and intellectual property."

In February 2004, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California granted MPS summary judgment of non-infringement as to O2 Micro's U.S. Patent No. 6,259,615. In May 2007, a jury in the same court found that MPS did not literally infringe any of the asserted claims of O2 Micro's U.S. Patent No. 6,396,722 and that all of the patent claims were invalid in any event. The Federal Circuit upheld the outcomes in both of those cases. All three patents (the '615, '722 and '382 patents) are in the same patent family.

The ALJ's ID can be reviewed by the full Commission. The Commission's final determination is expected to be issued by August 20, 2010. Following the Commission's final determination, the President has 60 days to review any exclusion order or cease and desist order. Following that review, the orders will be fully enforceable.

MPS is represented in this case by Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP and Latham & Watkins LLP. MPS trial counsel includes Smith Brittingham, Dean Dunlavey, Lionel Lavenue, Mark Flagel, Darren Jirron and Scott Mosko.

About Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (MPS) develops and markets proprietary, advanced analog and mixed-signal semiconductors. The company combines advanced process technology with its highly experienced analog designers to produce high-performance power management integrated circuits (ICs) for DC to DC converters, LED drivers, Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) backlight controllers, Class D audio amplifiers, and Linear ICs. MPS products are used extensively in computing and network communications products, LCD monitors and TVs, and a wide variety of consumer and portable electronics products. MPS partners with world-class manufacturing organizations to deliver top quality, ultra-compact, high-performance solutions through the most productive, cost-efficient channels. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in San Jose, California, the company has expanded its global presence with sales offices in Taiwan, China, Korea, Japan, and Europe, which operate under MPS International, Ltd.

Monolithic Power Systems, MPS, and the MPS logo are registered trademarks of Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and trademarked in certain other countries.

SOURCE Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

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