Moto Halts Razr Copycats

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. -- Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) announced today that it has reached agreement in a lawsuit filed in January against Korean manufacturer KBT Mobile Company, Ltd. for infringements of patents, trademarks and designs for the acclaimed Motorola RAZR mobile phone. With the settlement, KBT has agreed to discontinue all manufacturing and sales of RAZR look-alikes. Motorola had filed the lawsuit upon learning of KBT's attempts to sell RAZR look-alikes in Asia.

Motorola had launched an investigation after the company began to receive inquiries about Motorola RAZR look-alikes available in Asia. Specifically, customers were asking Motorola about a RAZR look-alike, which KBT called the V500 and was marketing in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"We are very pleased that KBT has acknowledged Motorola's legitimate and protected rights to Motorola RAZR-related patents, trademarks and designs," said Yvonne Verse, vice president of Global Intellectual Property Management and Licensing for Motorola's Mobile Devices business. "To create competitive advantage, Motorola invests extensive human and financial resources to bring compelling innovations to market. Around the world, we are committed to protecting our investments -- and we are prepared to vigorously defend our innovations through enforcement of our intellectual property rights."

Motorola had filed the lawsuit in Korea against KBT Mobile Company, Ltd. under Korea's Unfair Competition Prevention Act. The act expressly prohibits the copying of another company's product design. Additionally, Motorola's complaint includes claims that KBT infringed Motorola patents as well as a claim of infringement of Motorola's globally recognized trademark.

As a result of the settlement, KBT has agreed to cease the manufacture, sale, offer to sell, export, and/or display any RAZR-like products. Additionally, KBT will not enable other companies to manufacture a RAZR-like product, and has committed to stop using Motorola patents and trademarks. In keeping with the settlement agreement, further terms will not be disclosed.

Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT)