MURRAY HILL, N.J. -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today said that it received preliminary court approval of its agreement to settle pending shareowner and related litigation against the company, its current and former officers and directors, and certain other defendants. The company denied any wrongdoing as part of the agreement, which was announced on March 27, 2003.

Honorable Judge Joel A. Pisano of the U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J., entered an order preliminarily approving the settlements and directing the plaintiffs' counsel to notify potential class members concerning the proposed settlements and claims administration process. Plaintiffs' counsel in the shareholder class action cases have been ordered to mail notice to potential class members by Oct. 7.

Once the notices have been mailed, information on the proposed terms of the settlement and details on how to submit claim forms to participate in the settlement will also be accessible through the plaintiffs' claims administrator at 1-866-345-0365 or at http://www.gardencitygroup.com.

A settlement fairness hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 12, 2003. Potential claimants will have until Mar. 31, 2004, to complete and return claim forms to apply to receive a portion of the settlement proceeds.

Lucent Technologies Inc.