Corning Incorporated and Picvue Electronics, Ltd. announced 20 October 2005 that they have reached an amicable resolution to the lawsuit between the parties relating to alleged trade secret misappropr…
Corning Incorporated and Picvue Electronics, Ltd. announced 20 October 2005 that they have reached an amicable resolution to the lawsuit between the parties relating to alleged trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement. The employees of Picvue responsible for such action are no longer with the company. The investigation being led by the US Attorney“s Office has resulted in an arrest in Kentucky. The suspect is believed to have participated in the misappropriation of materials containing proprietary information about Corning“s process for manufacturing the company“s glass substrates used in making active matrix LCDs. As part of the settlement, Picvue has agreed to respect Corning“s proprietary rights in fusion draw technology for manufacturing flat panel display glass and fairly compensate Corning for any past wrongdoing. The terms of the settlement are confidential. In addition, Picvue is cooperating with the US Attorney for the Western District of New York in an ongoing investigation of any criminal misconduct. “Corning is pleased to have this dispute with Picvue resolved in a manner by which those responsible for the criminal actions will be brought to justice,” said James P. Clappin, president, Corning Display Technologies. “Corning considers its intellectual property rights critical and it will always move accordingly to protect our shareholders“ investment. We will not let others misappropriate our intellectual property”. Through its Display Technologies business, Corning manufactures two glass substrate compositions, Corning 1737 and EAGLE2000(TM) glass, which is currently the worldwide industry standard for active matrix LCD. Over the last few years, Corning has been investing to expand capacity in order to keep pace with the growing LCD industry. The company has continued to expand its Tainan, Taiwan manufacturing facility that it opened in 2001 and is currently constructing its second facility on the island in Taichung, which is expected to begin production later in 2005. Picvue is a develops and manufactures components used in display devices. Formerly the major Taiwanese CRT glass supplier, it is a pioneer of the Taiwan LCD industry and a main supplier to the global LCD market. Its flat sheet display glass research was started in the mid 90s.