Aldec Inc. Seeks Millions In Damages From Xilinx Inc.
HENDERSON, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2002--Aldec Inc., a
leading supplier of HDL design entry and verification software for
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) today announced that it will be
filing a federal lawsuit against Xilinx® Inc. (Nasdaq:XLNX - news) of San
Jose, Calif., seeking a multi-million dollar award for copyright
infringement by distributing Aldec products without authorization from
Aldec.
Based on an OEM Agreement of Jan. 5, 1996, Xilinx was distributing
Aldec's copyrighted software as part of its Foundation Series(TM)
software used for designing Xilinx field programmable gate array
(FPGA) devices. To correct any software errors after the agreement
expiration, Xilinx was given the right to use and modify Aldec's
source code and create from the modified source code their own
executable code in support of customers.
However, Xilinx was contractually obligated to immediately destroy
all existing executable code produced by Aldec and used in conjunction
with Xilinx products, after the agreement expired on Jan. 5, 2002 to
eliminate any new shipments of Aldec-produced executable code.
"Nevertheless, Xilinx continues to assert that it has the right
after the expiration of the OEM Agreement to continue producing and
distributing full-blown Aldec executable code as part of their newest
Foundation Series 4.2i product, instead of destroying all existing
Aldec executable code as required by the OEM Agreement," stated
Stanley Hyduke, president of Aldec.
"Since it is the most arrogant action I have seen in the
electronic industry in my 40 years, and since all attempts to resolve
this issue outside the legal system did not bring results, we have no
other option but to seek full compensation for damages," added Hyduke.
About Aldec
Aldec Inc. is an 18-year-old EDA company specializing in
multi-platform design tools for the FPGA and ASIC markets. Aldec
products are based on U.S. and international patents. Aldec has signed
in the past over 10 OEM agreements for its leading edge products.
Headquartered in Henderson, Aldec continues to evolve as the fastest
growing design verification company in the world.
Additional information about Aldec is available at
http://www.aldec.com.
Xilinx® is a registered trademark of Xilinx Inc.; Foundation
Series is a trademark of Xilinx Inc.
Contact:
Aldec Inc.
Megan Moran, 702/990-4400 ext. 201
meganm@aldec.com
