OFS Sues Draka

NORCROSS, Ga. -- Furukawa Electric North America, Inc. (“FENA”), and its wholly-owned subsidiary OFS Fitel LLC, (“OFS”), a designer, manufacturer, and supplier of leading edge fiber optic products, announced today the commencement of federal litigation against Draka Comteq, Inc. (“Draka Comteq”) alleging that the North Carolina-based company infringes several U.S. patents related to single-mode and multi-mode optical fiber, processes for making optical fiber, and optical fiber cables.

OFS, formerly the U.S. optical fiber business of Lucent Technologies purchased by Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd. in 2001, was an early pioneer in a broad range of optical fiber design, manufacturing processes, and systems-related products for telecommunications technologies. “The decision to proceed with this patent infringement filing was carefully considered," said Timothy F. Murray, President of Operations and Engineering for OFS. "We want everyone to know that we will vigorously protect our intellectual property from companies that illegally use our technology. OFS invests millions of dollars each year in research and development to create new, patented inventions that bring significant value to our customers. We are determined to stay the leader by investing in new technologies that answer the ever changing demands our customers face, striving for operational excellence and by diligently guarding our intellectual property."

The proceedings instituted by FENA on behalf of OFS come at a time when the optical telecommunications industry is focusing on new fiber and system designs to enhance, among other things, Fiber to the Home (FTTH) applications. "The telecommunications industry is focusing on fiber optic based solutions to increase their offerings of valuable services to their customers. New fiber and systems designs will be needed for the next generation of optical fiber-based telecommunications," Murray continued. "Over more than a decade OFS has assembled a portfolio of optical telecommunications and related technologies, presenting us with compelling opportunities as we help drive the convergence of various technologies and features into a new generation of optical telecommunications."

Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.