Forgent Networks Enhances Intellectual Property Web Site
AUSTIN, TX, Sep. 08, 2004 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Forgent Networks (NASDAQ: FORG) announced today it has added an enhanced intellectual property area to the corporate web site located at www.forgent.com/ip. The site provides information on Forgent's intellectual property program and the litigation recently initiated against 40 technology companies for infringement of United States Patent No. 4,698,672 (the '672 Patent) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division as well as the complaints filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
The site was developed to enhance communication and improve the information flow with shareholders and interested parties about the complicated litigation process. Web site visitors can view selected court filings in a simple time line format according to the particular case. The web site also provides links to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division's web site located at www.txed.uscourts.gov, and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware's web site located at www.ded.uscourts.gov. Additionally, more complete information may be found through the docket sheets maintained by the individual courts or through a subscription to PACER http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov. PACER or the Public Access to Court Electronic Records is an electronic public access service that allows users to obtain case and docket information from Federal Appellate, District and Bankruptcy courts, and from the U.S. Party/Case Index.
"Forgent is pleased to announce this new web site that provides additional information about our intellectual property program," said Richard Snyder, chairman and CEO of Forgent. "The litigation surrounding the '672 Patent is of particular interest and we want to ensure we are sharing as many facts about the proceedings as possible. We continue to be confident with the progress of the case and believe we will prevail."
Since the company's inception, Forgent has designed and developed strategies to help find new and better ways to solve problems. As these solutions were found, the company patented and then sought to commercialize these innovative technologies. This effort has created a diverse portfolio of intellectual property such as data compression, video mail, videoconferencing, video call scheduling, and many others. The company's patent portfolio includes the combined invention of Compression Labs, Inc., VTEL Corporation, and Forgent Networks, Inc.
Over the last two years the intellectual property business has generated approximately $90 million from licensing the '672 Patent to over 30 different companies in Asia, Europe and the United States. The '672 Patent relates to digital image compression, and fields of use include any digital still image device used to compress, store, manipulate, print or transmit digital still images such as digital cameras. However, the '672 Patent extends beyond digital cameras and includes many digital still image devices such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, printers, scanners, and other devices used to compress, store, manipulate, print or transmit digital still images. Forgent has the exclusive right to license and enforce all the claims under the '672 Patent in all fields of use involving digital still image compression.
About Forgent
Forgent Networks (NASDAQ: FORG) develops and licenses intellectual property and provides scheduling software to a wide variety of customers. Forgent's intellectual property licensing program is related to communication technologies developed from a diverse and growing patent portfolio. Forgent's software division, NetSimplicity, provides a spectrum of scheduling software that enables all sizes of organizations to streamline the scheduling of people, places and things. For additional information please visit www.forgent.com.
Safe Harbor
This release may include projections and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and as such, actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the general economy and the technology industry, rapid changes in technology, sales cycle and product implementations, risks associated with transitioning to a new business model and the subsequent limited operating history, the possibility of new entrants into the collaboration management market, the possibility that the market for the sale of certain software and services may not develop as expected; that development of these software and services may not proceed as planned, risks associated with the company's license program, including risks of litigation involving intellectual property, patents and trademarks, acquisition integration, and the ability to consummate certain divestiture transactions. Additional discussion of these and other risk factors affecting the company's business and prospects is contained in the company's periodic filings with the SEC.
Company contact:
Michael Noonan
512.437.2476
michael_noonan@forgent.com
SOURCE: Forgent Networks