 |
Press Release
Network-1 and PowerDsine Settle
Patent Litigation
NEW YORK, Nov. 17 -- Network-1 Security Solutions,
Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: NSSI.OB) today announced that it has entered into a Settlement Agreement
with PowerDsine, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDSN) and PowerDsine Ltd. which dismisses, with prejudice, a civil
action brought by PowerDsine in the United States District Court
for the Southern District of New York that sought a declaratory
judgment that U.S. Patent No. 6,218,930 (the "Remote Power
Patent") owned by Network-1 was invalid and not infringed by
PowerDsine and/or its customers.
Under the
terms of the Settlement Agreement, Network-1 has agreed that it
will not initiate litigation against PowerDsine for its sale of
Power over Ethernet (PoE) integrated circuits. In addition,
Network-1 has agreed that it will not seek damages for
infringement from customers that incorporate PowerDsine
integrated circuit products in PoE capable Ethernet switches
manufactured on or before April 30, 2006. PowerDsine has agreed
that it will not initiate, assist or cooperate in any action or
litigation against Network- 1 relating to the validity or
infringement, if any, by PowerDsine or its customers of the
Remote Power Patent. The Remote Power Patent was granted on
April 11, 2001 and expires on March 11, 2020.
Network-1
also agreed that it will not initiate litigation against
PowerDsine or its customers for infringement of the Remote Power
Patent arising from the manufacture and sale of PowerDsine
Midspan products for three years following the dismissal date.
Following such three year period, Network-1 may seek damages for
infringement of the Remote Power Patent from PowerDsine or its
customers with respect to the purchase and sale of Midspan
products beginning 90 days following the dismissal date.
No licenses
to use the technologies covered by the Remote Power Patent were
granted to PowerDsine or its customers under the terms of the
settlement. Network-1 is currently offering licenses to the
Remote Power Patent to all vendors of Power over Ethernet
equipment. For the full terms of the settlement with PowerDsine,
see the text of the settlement agreement which has been filed as
an exhibit to Network-1's Current Report on Form 8-K which was
filed today with the SEC.
"This
Settlement with PowerDsine, the technology market leader and
major contributor to the development of the Power over Ethernet
Standard, is welcomed by Network-1 in that it eliminates the
distraction created by this litigation and advances Network-1
intentions to license the Remote Power Patent to manufacturers
and suppliers of finished PoE system products and not suppliers
of semiconductor components used in such systems," commented
Corey M. Horowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Network-1.
The Company's
Remote Power Patent relates to, among other things, several key
technologies underlying the IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE)
standard that was approved on June 13, 2003 by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) (the Standard). The
Standard governs the delivery of Power over Ethernet cables in
order to power network connected devices including, among
others, VoIP phones, wireless LAN access points and IP network
cameras.
ABOUT
NETWORK-1 SECURITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
Network-1
Security Solutions, Inc. is engaged in the acquisition,
development, licensing and protection of its intellectual
property and proprietary technologies. As part of its business
strategy it is offering licenses to third parties who Network-1
believes could benefit from the technologies covered by its
patents. In February 2004, the Company initiated its licensing
efforts relating to its patent (U.S. Patent No. 6,218,930)
covering the remote delivery of Power over Ethernet cables.
This release
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
"safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These statements address future events and
conditions concerning the Company's business plans. Such
statements are subject to a number of risk factors and
uncertainties as disclosed in the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-QSB for the three months ended September 30, 2005
including, among others, the ability of Network-1 to obtain
license agreements from third parties for its patent portfolio,
uncertainty of patent litigation, the Company's ability to
achieve revenues and profits from its patent portfolio, the
Company's ability to raise capital when needed, future economic
conditions and technology changes and legislative, regulatory
and competitive developments. Except as otherwise required to be
disclosed in periodic reports, the Company expressly disclaims
any future obligation or undertaking to update or revise any
forward-looking statement contained herein.
|
 |