UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 28, 2005
Entegris, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Minnesota | 000-30789 | 41-1941551 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 3500 Lyman Boulevard, Chaska, MN | 55318 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 952-556-3131
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS
On June 28, 2005, Entegris, Inc. issued a press release announcing that it had commenced patent infringement litigation against Maraial Co. Ltd of Tokyo, Japan. A copy of this press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference. The prosecution of patent litigation, including the infringement claim against Maraial, can be costly and time-consuming, and could generate counterclaims challenging the validity of the company’s rights to the subject patents or other intellectual property.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
| (c) | Exhibits. |
| Exhibit 99.1 | Press Release issued by Entegris, Inc. dated June 28, 2005. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Entegris, Inc. | ||||
| Date: July 5, 2005 | ||||
| /s/ John D. Villas | ||||
| John D. Villas Chief Financial Officer | ||||
EXHIBIT 99.1
 |
NEWS RELEASE
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Entegris, Inc. Corporate Headquarters 3500 Lyman Boulevard Chaska Minnesota 55318 USA Tel. 952-556-3131
Bill Paterson Public Relations Manager Tel. 952-556-4155 bill_paterson@entegris.com
Heide Erickson Director Investor Relations Tel. 952-556-8051 heide_erickson@entegris.com |
Tuesday, June 28, 2005 (5:00 Central Time USA) – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Entegris Files Lawsuit Against Japanese Competitor
In Minneapolis Federal Court
Company Acts To Protect Patents, Intellectual Property Rights
CHASKA/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., June 28, 2005 – Entegris, Inc., (Nasdaq: ENTG) announced today that it has filed suit in United States District Court in Minneapolis against Miraial Co. Ltd. of Toyko, Japan. The Minnesota-based company cites in the suit that the competitor has infringed on patents covering some of Entegris’ major product lines produced and sold into the world’s semiconductor market.
The suit specifically cites infringement on five U.S. patents Entegris owns in its 300 mm semiconductor wafer carrier patent portfolio. Miraial (formerly Kakizaki Manufacturing Co. Ltd.) is a manufacturer of wafer handling products and other components for the global semiconductor industry. Entegris officials say the company negotiated in good faith with Miraial for more than two years without success, necessitating the lawsuit. Earlier this year, another major Japanese competitor agreed to a nondiscriminatory license of some of the same patents, and in doing so, is now paying royalties to Entegris. Company officials calculate that back royalties Miraial owes Entegris on its 300 mm patent portfolio will reach well into the millions of dollars.
“Entegris duly protects its intellectual property rights. Licensing our 300 mm front opening wafer carrier technology provides customers the best access to our industry-leading technology, while we continue to invest in the next generation technology. Unfortunately, this competitor has yet to agree to license our patents, or engage in serious negotiations, so we believe enforcement is necessary,” said Michael Wright, President and Chief Operating Officer for Entegris. “We’ve invested heavily in our state-of-the-industry wafer carrier technology, and we will license our technology in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner to all our competitors in accordance with the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International guidelines.”
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The materials integrity management company
| ENTEGRIS FILES PATENT INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT | PAGE 2/JUNE 28, 2005 |
As a global leader in the materials integrity management, Entegris has built a solid tradition for establishing intellectual property rights on the product innovations it deploys to the market place. With an expanding portfolio of 189 U.S. patents and 300 foreign patents – including 30 U.S. patents applicable to 300 mm wafer carrier technology and products - the company has long valued its patent portfolio position. This position reflects the company’s focus on advanced science and cutting-edge technology in maintaining an industry leadership role in its markets worldwide. Company officials note Entegris is known for closely respecting and adhering to semiconductor industry standards and regulations in protecting its patent rights.
ABOUT ENTEGRIS
Entegris products and services protect and transport the critical materials enabling the world’s leading technologies. As a leading materials integrity management company, Entegris provides products and services used in key technology industries including the semiconductor, data storage, chemical processing, biopharmaceutical, medical device and fuel cell. Entegris is ISO 9001 certified and has manufacturing or service facilities in the United States, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. Its advanced research laboratories are located in Minnesota and Colorado, USA. Directly and through distributors, Entegris provides customer support on six continents. Additional information can be found at www.entegris.com.
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The materials integrity management company