Polytronics and Littelfuse Announce Settlement of Patent Dispute

    DES PLAINES, Ill.--June 21, 2001--Polytronics Technology Corporation and Littelfuse, Inc. announced that they have reached an equitable settlement regarding their respective patent claims against one another. While acknowledging that each party has certain merits and strengths in its own technological innovation and corporate resources, Littelfuse and Polytronics agreed not to assert any claims of patent infringement against the other party, including customers, resellers or end users, and to discontinue all related legal actions.
    Although the terms of the settlement agreement are confidential, the result of the settlement is that Polytronics agreed to lift the injunction it obtained in Taiwan against Littelfuse, Inc., Littelfuse S&L and Sea and Land. Polytronics also agreed to dismiss the declaratory judgement action it recently filed against Littelfuse, Inc. in the United States Federal Court in Chicago, Illinois. Littelfuse agreed to withdraw its action contesting the validity or enforceability of Polytronics' patent in Taiwan. The settlement also affects Littelfuse's earlier lawsuit against CompUSA. Under the settlement agreement, CompUSA is free to purchase and sell products incorporating Polytronics' devices.
    Littelfuse and Polytronics are pleased that the settlement agreement will allow each company to continue providing high quality products to customers and users of those products throughout the world.