Agere Sues Multiplex

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Agere Systems (NYSE: AGR.A) today announced that it has filed two lawsuits against Multiplex Inc., a New Jersey-based optoelectronics company. The first, for patent infringement was filed in the US District Court for Delaware. The second, for property theft, was filed at the Superior Court of New Jersey Chancery Division. The first lawsuit charges Multiplex with infringing four patents related to leading-edge optical components and subsystems, including lasers and multiple quantum well modulators. These products are used in high-performance optical communications systems. The second lawsuit alleges Multiplex has wrongfully possessed Agere optoelectronic device wafers and other related proprietary property. As a world leader in optoelectronics for communications systems, Agere plans to vigorously protect its significant investments in intellectual property. Agere is seeking monetary damages for Multiplex's infringement of its patents, recovery of its property and an injunction against further infringement. Agere Systems