ASML: Nikon has filed a claim for patent infringement.
(CercleFinance.com) - Japanese camera and chip equipment maker Nikon has filed a legal claim for alleged patent infringement against ASML in three countries, the Dutch company said on Monday.
In a press release, the Veldhoven-based supplier to semiconductor manufacturers categorically denies the allegations and believes that Nikon's claim is "without merit."
"Over the past years, ASML has made repeated attempts to negotiate an extension of its cross-license agreement with Nikon," said Peter Wennink, ASML chairman and chief executive officer.
While ASML and Nikon concluded in 2004 a patent cross-license agreement, some patents ended in 2009. A transitional period, during which the parties had agreed not to bring suit, ended in late 2014.
"We are disappointed that Nikon did not make any serious efforts to negotiate and has opted for legal action instead," Wennink said.
Despite this, AMSL shares were still up slightly this morning on Euronext Amsterdam, rising 1.7% at 123.7 euros.
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