ASML files patent infringement claim against Nikon in Japan

ASML Holding NV (ASML) today announced it filed a patent infringement complaint against Nikon Corporation of Japan in Tokyo District Court in Tokyo, Japan. ASML seeks an injunction against Nikon to cease the manufacture and sale of lithography systems that infringe on an ASML patent. The company also seeks damages from Nikon totaling 11,076,876,300 Japanese Yen (approximately €97 million). Lithography equipment, used to print circuits on silicon wafers that become semiconductors or chips, is approximately a €4.6 billion industry worldwide.

The ASML patent in question covers a technical device known as the wafer handler that moves silicon wafers through the lithography system.

The current patent infringement claim in Japan represents the third complaint ASML has filed against Nikon in the past five months.

"ASML prefers to fight and win in the marketplace, not in the courtroom. However, Nikon has chosen to litigate rather than compete," said Doug Dunn, president and CEO, ASML. "Their unjust claim to our intellectual property will be vigorously contested."

Complaints between ASML and Nikon in California, Washington DC, and Arizona

On July 19, 2002, the US District Court for the Northern District of California ordered that ASML's claims against Nikon for patent misconduct and antitrust violations may proceed, denying Nikon's motion to dismiss those claims. This case is expected to proceed to trial in 2004.

On September 4, 2002, the hearing between ASML and Nikon in the International Trade Commission (ITC) proceeding will begin in Washington, DC.

ASML's counterclaims against Nikon in the ITC for patent infringement have been removed to the US District Court for the District of Arizona as required by law. This case is expected to proceed to trial in 2004.