Lexra to Fight Patent Infringement Suit by MTI

IP News

Lexra to Fight Patent Infringement Suit by MTI

Lexra Welcomes Opportunity to Clear the Cloud Created by MTI

WALTHAM, MA (November 1, 1999) - Lexra, a leading developer of 32-bit RISC and DSP cores for the embedded market, stated today that it will vigorously defend itself against claims of patent infringement made by MIPS Technologies, Inc. (MTI) in a lawsuit filed October 28, 1999.

Lexra is confident that its products do not infringe any of the patents cited in the MTI lawsuit, or any other MTI patents. Prior to developing its products, Lexra thoroughly investigated the MTI patent portfolio, and embarked on a path to ensure its products would not infringe any MTI patents.

"We are surprised that MTI has filed this lawsuit, given that we had entered into negotiations at MTI's request, and had gone as far as discussing a cross-license agreement of our RADIAX? instructions and their MIPS32? instructions," said Charlie Cheng, president and CEO, Lexra. "We don't understand the surprise attack by MTI, but we plan to fight this suit, and welcome the opportunity to clear our name."

The suit claims that a software emulation option in Lexra's LX4080, LX4080P, LX4180, LX4280 and LX5280 infringes U.S. patent number 4,814,976, which pertains to unaligned reference handling. The suit also claims that the LX4280 and LX5280 infringe U.S. patent number 5,864,703, which pertains to extended precision arithmetic. The complaint mentions nine other patents, but MTI does not charge Lexra with infringement of those patents.

"Lexra performed extensive patent research prior to developing its products", said Pat Hays, Lexra's CTO, and holder of six computer architecture patents. Dr. Hays continued, "Our intention from the beginning has been to respect the patents of MTI and others while developing new inventions of our own. Even a cursory review of our technology makes it obvious that we don't infringe the MTI patents."

Lexra released its first product, the LX4080, in May of 1998. Lexra's product line now consists of three products, the LX4180 SOC processor core, the LX5280 RISC-DSP core, and the LX4280 Superscalar RISC core. Through a combination of superior products, a flexible business model, and dedicated customer service, Lexra has achieved remarkable success in the marketplace. The company has 17 licensees to date, each of which performed due diligence with respect to patent matters. That they have all expressed their confidence by purchasing Lexra's products is the strongest possible endorsement of Lexra's case.

About Lexra

Lexra, Inc. is a leading microprocessor developer specializing in 32-bit RISC and DSP cores for the embedded market. In addition to competitive performance, small die size and low power consumption, Lexra's processor cores are also easy to use, easy to port and provide customers with cost effective solutions. Lexra is headquartered in Waltham, MA. Further information can be found at http://www.lexra.com.

*MIPS32 and other MIPS common law marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of MIPS Technologies, Inc. Lexra, Inc. is not associated with MIPS Technologies, Inc. in any way. RADIAX is a trademark of Lexra, Inc.

For Immediate Release:

Lexra Contact:
Kathleen Leavitt
VP, Corporate Marketing
Lexra, Inc.
San Jose, CA
(408) 441-0711
kathleen@lexra.com

Press Contact:
Katie Olivier
Account Executive
Shelton Communications Group
Dallax, TX
(972) 239-5119
kolivier@sheltongroup.com

For more information, please contact Lexra at (781) 899-5799, or send e-mail to info@lexra.com.