CommScope, Inc., a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks, has filed patent infringement lawsuits in China and begun legal proceedings in Brazil against Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Ltd. and its affiliates. The legal actions by CommScope, through its Andrew LLC subsidiary, focuses on Comba’s alleged infringement of the company’s patents related to its remote electrical tilt (RET) technology for base station antennas used in wireless networks.
“CommScope’s extensive portfolio of patents and intellectual property is the result of years of effort and considerable monetary investment in research and development,” said Randy Crenshaw, executive vice president and chief operating officer, CommScope. “These valuable intellectual property assets are a lifeblood of the company and core to the innovation we deliver to customers around the world. We have vigorously protected these valuable assets in the past and will continue to do so in the future.”
CommScope’s patented RET system enables frequent and cost-effective beam adjustment of the variable electrical downtilt of base station antennas, improving the coverage, capacity, and quality of cellular networks. CommScope, through its Andrew LLC subsidiary, owns various patents around the world covering RET technology and actively defends these rights. To date, CommScope has licensed its patented RET technology to more than 10 companies around the world in the communications networking industry.
In China, CommScope, through its Andrew LLC subsidiary, filed lawsuits against several Comba entities in the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Courtbased on Comba’s making, selling and offering for sale RET antennas that CommScope believes infringe two of its Chinese patents. In these lawsuits, CommScope is seeking an injunction and past damages for Comba’s infringement. The lawsuits are ongoing.
In Brazil, CommScope requested a criminal search and seizure at Comba’s premises in Barueri, Sao Paulo based on its belief that Comba Ind e Com de Equipamentos de Telecomunicações Ltda was infringing Andrew LLC’s Brazilian patents. The request was granted by judicial authorities in Barueri and, on May 19, 2011, a number of Comba’s RET antennas were seized together with documents related to the corresponding sales. CommScope fully believes that the seized products infringe its Brazilian patents and intends to take all necessary additional steps to enforce its rights against Comba and any other unauthorized user.
About CommScope:
CommScope (www.commscope.com) has played a role in virtually all the world’s best communication networks. We create the infrastructure that connects people and technologies through every evolution. Our portfolio of end-to-end solutions includes critical infrastructure our customers need to build high-performing wired and wireless networks. As much as technology changes, our goal remains the same: to help our customers create, innovate, design, and build faster and better. We’ll never stop connecting and evolving networks for the business of life at home, at work, and on the go.
This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management, management’s beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those currently expected. In providing forward-looking statements, the company does not intend, and is not undertaking any obligation or duty, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
News Media Contact:
Rick Aspan, CommScope
+1 708-236-6568 or publicrelations@commscope.com
or
Financial Contact:
Phil Armstrong, CommScope
+1 828-323-4848