ASML denies Nikon's allegations of patent infringement

ASML's President and CEO Doug Dunn said: "Nikon had filed its ITC complaint with no notice to ASML. We've now had an opportunity to review the patents and the claimed infringement. ASML has concluded that Nikon's patents are both invalid and not infringed."

Nikon had also filed a Federal District Court case in the Northern District of California in San Jose alleging four patent infringements against ASML on December 21, 2001, a suit that was also commenced with no notice of any patent claim by Nikon.

"Although our answer to the complaint filed in San Jose is not due until March 26, 2002, we have reviewed the patents involved in that case and we have similarly concluded that Nikon's patents are invalid and not infringed," Doug Dunn added.

ASML's answer specifying its response will be filed in Federal District Court in San Jose on or before March 26.