- 18 June 2007 -

Pall files lawsuit against Entegris

Pall Corp has filed a patent infringement action against Entegris Inc, alleging that the Entegris Impact® filter cartridge line infringes four Pall patents: U.S Patent Nos. 5,543,047, 5,690,765, 6,113,784, and 7,195,122. Specifically, the Entegris Impact 2 and Impact Plus point-of-use photoresist filters are in question, with Pall contending that they infringe a patent issued to Pall on March 27, 2007, as well as three older patents. The suit seeks compensatory damages and a permanent injunction precluding Entegris from selling the infringing products.

The patents in question involve Pall’s Ultipleat® laid-over pleat filter pack and the EZD® low hold-up volume filter capsule. The laid-over pleat design that defines the Ultipleat filter line allows more filter material to be packed into a smaller envelope, while the EZD capsule line incorporates an internal configuration which offers several advantages, including minimizing process fluid loss.

Entegris has countered the action with a response indicating that the lawsuit has no merit. “As our customers can attest, innovation is at the core of our leadership in the market. Entegris takes great pains to respect the intellectual property of others and expects its competitors to do the same,” said Peter Walcott, Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

Pall’s separate action against Entegris, filed in 2005, involving Entegris Quickchange® and Waferguard® products, is still ongoing. This is the fifth legal action between Entegris and Pall alleging infringement of various patents, including three actions initiated by Entegris or its predecessor in March 2003, April 2006 and August 2006 and one prior action initiated by Pall in December 2005.

www.pall.com
www.entegris.com

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