BURLINGTON, Mass., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. , a leading researcher and developer of light-based systems for cosmetic treatments, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("the Patent Office") has confirmed the validity of all claims in the re-examination of U.S. Patent No. 5,595,568 ("the '568 patent"), entitled "Permanent Hair Removal Using Optical Pulses."
Palomar is suing Syneron for willful infringement of the '568 patent and both Candela and Syneron for willful infringement of the U.S. Patent No. 5,735,844 ("the '844 patent") in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. On June 15, 2009, Palomar announced the successful conclusion of the re-examination of the '844 patent. On November 17, 2008, the lawsuit against Candela was stayed by the Court pending the outcome of the re-examinations of both the '568 and '844 patents. In Palomar's patent infringement lawsuit against Syneron, the parties mutually agreed to a stay of that suit pending the re-examinations of both the '568 and '844 patents. Palomar has requested that the court re-start its lawsuit against Candela and will now also request the court re-start its lawsuit against Syneron.
Chief Executive Officer Joseph P. Caruso commented, "We are again very pleased with this result from the U.S. Patent Office. This patent family is strong as is evidenced by the number of our current licensees; as well as the fact that companies are now coming to us for licenses prior to entering the hair removal market."
Patricia Davis, Palomar's General Counsel and a registered patent attorney, commented, "Again we are pleased but not surprised by the U.S. Patent Office's position which supports our belief in the strength of both the '568 patent and the patent family as a whole. If Palomar prevails at trial, Candela and Syneron may be ordered to pay significant amounts in damages for past sales and ordered to stop selling infringing products. Palomar also alleges that Candela's and Syneron's activities constitute willful infringement. If Palomar prevails on such claims, Candela and Syneron could be forced to pay up to triple the amount of the original damages assessment and Palomar's legal fees."
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SOURCE Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
CONTACT: Kayla Castle, Investor Relations Manager, Palomar Medical
Technologies, Inc., +1-781-993-2411, kcastle@palomarmedical.com
Web site: http://www.palomarmedical.com/
