ALAMEDA, Calif., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ --
Geoworks Corporation (Nasdaq: GWRX), a leading innovator in mobile data
communications services and technologies, today announced that the U.S.
International Trade Commission (ITC) has instituted an investigation into
whether Phone.com, Inc., Sanyo Electric Co., and Sanyo North America Corp. are
violating Geoworks' U.S. Patent No. 5,327,529 for Geoworks' Flexible User
Interface (Flex UI(TM)). The ITC investigation covers wireless communication
devices and components, including Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) cell
phones that contain Phone.com's UP.Browser.
ITC Administrative Law Judge Debra Morriss will preside over the trial and
issue an initial decision. The ITC typically issues a final determination in
12 months following institution of an investigation. The ITC can issue
exclusion orders that direct the U.S. Customs Service to stop all further
importation into the United States of Sanyo WAP cell phones containing
Phone.com's UP.Browser. The ITC can also issue cease and desist orders
prohibiting Sanyo and Phone.com from selling their domestic inventories of
imported WAP cell phones and components that infringe Geoworks' Flex UI(TM)
patent.
Geoworks' Flex UI technology is available under a licensing program
described at the Geoworks web site, http://www.geoworks.com. Sanyo WAP cell phones
use the Phone.com UP.Browser. Geoworks contends that Phone.com built the
UP.Browser using Geoworks's Flex UI(TM) technology, then filed suit in
California to attack the Geoworks patent instead of paying the licensing
royalty. Geoworks filed its complaint for patent infringement at the ITC in
order to obtain rapid resolution of this dispute. Patent disputes involving
complex technology are handled on an expedited schedule at the ITC. Geoworks
anticipates that the ITC investigation will provide the earliest possible
protection for itself and its licensees from the unfair competition posed by
Phone.com and Sanyo.
About Geoworks
Geoworks Corporation is a leading innovator in wireless data
communications services and technologies for the business-to-business and
business-to-consumer markets. Geoworks' Mobile ASP(TM) solution utilizes a
flexible combination of its proprietary Premion(R) Server+ technology and its
mobile media expertise to enable businesses to reach their mobile customers
with relevant and timely information. Geoworks AirBoss(TM) client/server
mobile data solutions provide carrier-grade customizable systems ranging from
field service applications to telematics solutions. Based in Alameda,
California, the company has offices in New Jersey, Japan and the United
Kingdom, and can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.geoworks.com.
In keeping with U.S. law, Geoworks notes that this press release includes
forward-looking statements, pertaining to the emergence of, and Geoworks'
participation in, the mobile data and technology licensing and services
markets, as well as Flex UI patent litigation. Actual results may vary
significantly due to various risks and uncertainties. Those include, but are
not limited to, the following: (i) the mobile data and technology services
market may not emerge to the degree or timing anticipated; and (ii) new
technologies and new services are inherently subject to development, timing,
and consumer-acceptance risks. Moreover, the outcome and cost of litigation is
difficult to assess. Additional information is available in the Risk Factors
and Business discussions in the Company's Forms 10- K, 10-Q, and other filings
available from the Company or from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Geoworks Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.geoworks.com
CONTACT:
Michele Locurcio of Red Whistle
Communications, 415-616-6126, or mlocurcio@redwhistle.com, for
Geoworks Corporation; or Bob Bogard of Geoworks Corporation,
510-814-5811, or bbogard@geoworks.com
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