IBM, U.S. Robotics Named in Patent Suit by General Patent Corporation

Suffern, N.Y., February 7, 1997 - IBM Corporation and U. S. Robotics Corporation have been named in a patent infringement suit by General Patent Corporation (GPC) to enforce four of GPC's patents, which cover specific aspects of PC card modems and other computer communications devices.

The infringed patents include U.S. Patent Nos. 4,603,320 ("Connector Interface"); 4,686,506 ("Multiple Connector Interface"); 4,972,470 ("Programmable Connector") and U.S. Patent No. 4,543,450 ("Integrated Connector and Modem").

Alexander Poltorak, Ph.D., GPC's chairman and CEO, said that the first patent infringement suit is against IBM and U.S. Robotics Corp., and that other companies have been notified of infringing activities. "More litigation may be necessary if companies decide to test GPC's conviction in enforcing its intellectual property rights," said David Fink, lead counsel in this case. "Willful infringers may be liable for treble damages under Federal law," Mr. Fink added.

Dr. Poltorak noted that the patents have anticipated the technology now widely used by PC card and "smart connector" manufacturers without any acknowledgment to the inventors. Dr. Poltorak also said, "I hope that infringing companies will respect the patents and license the technology without litigation."