WILSONVILLE, Ore., March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mentor
Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT), today announced that a panel
of judges for the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has, in
a precedential opinion, unanimously upheld a lower court's ruling
that Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS) infringed U.S. Patent No.
6,240,376 for emulation technology developed by Mentor Graphics®.
The Court has also upheld a permanent injunction barring
sales of infringing products.
The Appeals Court affirmed the lower court's award of over
$36 million in lost profits damages,
and further ruled that Mentor Graphics may pursue treble damages
for willful infringement of the '376 patent. In addition, the
Appeals Court reinstated Mentor Graphics' U.S. Patent No. 6,947,882
directed to clock timing for emulators, and revived Mentor's claims
that Synopsys infringes U.S. Patent Nos. 5,649,176 and 6,009,531
for Mentor's emulation technology.
"Of course, we are very pleased with this ruling," said
Tom Evans, corporate intellectual
property counsel for Mentor Graphics. "After the $36 million award by the District Court, we
requested a hearing to determine further damages for infringing
sales made after the close of discovery up through the injunction.
Not only does the confirmation of the injunction and lost profits
award vindicate our pursuit of this case, but it is informative of
the scale of enhanced damages we might still obtain for
infringement occurring after Synopsys knowingly terminated a
license to the '376 patent by acquiring EVE, and for post-verdict
activity characterized as willful illegal activity by the District
Court. The reinstatement of the '882 patent also allows us to seek
an injunction against the clocking arrangement employed by
Synopsys' emulators, which could prevent Synopsys from selling or
replacing any system boards that employ Mentor's patented clocking
technology."
In October of 2014 a jury found that Synopsys infringed several
claims of the '376 Patent and awarded Mentor Graphics more than
$36 million in damages, and in
March 2015 Mentor Graphics obtained a
permanent injunction against Synopsys' infringement.
About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation is a
world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions,
providing products, consulting services, and award-winning support
for the world's most successful electronic, semiconductor, and
systems companies. Established in 1981, the company reported
revenues in the last fiscal year in excess of $1.28 billion. Corporate headquarters are located
at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville,
Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site:
http://www.mentor.com/.
(Mentor Graphics and Mentor are registered trademarks of Mentor
Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the
registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective
owners.)
For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Graham
Mentor Graphics
503.685.7789
suzanne_graham@mentor.com
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SOURCE Mentor Graphics Corporation