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PR Newswire

New Study Shows Filipino Consumers Who Access Piracy Sites and Services at Severe Risk of Cyber Threats

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Expert, IP Office and Industry Representatives Call for Site Blocking Laws to be Passed

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new study commissioned by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) showed that Filipino consumers who access piracy sites and services are at severe risk of cyber threats such as identity theft and ransomware. The study found Filipinos are up to 33 times more likely to encounter a cyber threat on the most popular piracy sites compared to legal film and TV websites.  

These findings were presented in a study released on 13 November during an anti-piracy symposium organized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), GMA Network, Inc. and Globe Telecom. ACE, the world’s leading antipiracy coalition, is led by the MPA.  

The study was authored by Dr. Paul Watters, Honorary Professor of Security Studies and Criminology, Macquarie University in Sydney.  

“As the digital landscape grows increasingly complex, the risks to consumers accessing piracy sites – especially younger consumers – have never been more urgent,” Watters said. “Consumers today navigate an online environment fraught with hidden malware and exploitation, often without realizing the true danger they face. My research highlights the urgent need for effective action to protect consumers, as every click on a piracy site brings not only legal and ethical implications, but significant threats to users’ safety and security. We owe it to the next generation to build a safe and secure internet, which protects young people from cybercriminals.”

To mitigate the risk of consumer harm posed by piracy sites, the study recommends the enactment of proportionate and transparent site blocking laws that will target piracy sites and services, increased funding for Filipino law enforcement to enhance digital forensics and incident response capabilities, and the development of a national awareness and education campaign.  

“IPOPHL’s voluntary site-blocking initiative has emerged as a key tool in the fight against digital piracy,” said IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba. “While it has only been implemented this year, we’ve already disabled access to nearly 20 sites with the help of the National Telecommunications Commission and internet service providers. Nevertheless, a law will institutionalize our site-blocking regime to create more outcomes, unlock the full potential of our creative economy and protect our consumers from the alarming cyber threats of piracy sites. IPOPHL is still hopeful to see a site-blocking law passed soon.”  

“The MPA’s experience in almost 60 countries around the world shows that site blocking is one of the most effective tools in our toolbox to combat piracy,” said Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the MPA. “This is particularly true in jurisdictions like the Philippines, where the most visited sites are run by operators based elsewhere in the world. The enactment of site blocking legislation is the next key step towards protecting Filipino consumers, content creators, and the creative industry in the Philippines and around the world.” 

The study also showed that raising consumer awareness and education – particularly with teens and pre-teens – is crucial to mitigating the cyber risks associated with piracy sites in the Philippines.  

“The study confirms what we have long feared about online piracy in the Philippines,” said Mr. Joseph T. Francia, First Vice President and Head of International Operations for GMA Network, Inc., an ACE member company. In addition to the negative economic impact to the Filipino entertainment industry, digital piracy has far more serious consequences to the Filipino consumers who are unwittingly exposed to a host of cyberthreats by visiting pirate sites. GMA is committed to continue raising consumer awareness and education on the cyber risks associated with digital piracy.”

“At Globe, we believe in a digital world that is safe and empowering for everyone,” said Yoly Cristiano, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer for Globe, an ACE member. “This study underscores the critical need for collaborative action to protect consumers, especially young people, from the hidden dangers of online piracy. We are committed to working with the government and partners like the MPA, ACE and GMA Network to promote responsible digital citizenship and ensure a secure online experience for all Filipinos.”

The full report is available here.  

About The Motion Picture Association 

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) serves as the leading voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world. Its member studios are Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO. 

About The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) is the world’s leading coalition dedicated to protecting the legal creative market and reducing digital piracy. Driven by a comprehensive approach to addressing piracy through criminal referrals, civil litigation, and cease-and-desist operations, ACE has achieved many successful global enforcement actions against illegal streaming services and unauthorized content sources and their operators. Drawing upon the collective expertise and resources of more than 50 media and entertainment companies around the world—including sports channels and associations—and reinforced by the Motion Picture Association’s content protection operations, ACE protects the creativity and innovation that drives the global growth of core copyright and entertainment industries. The current governing board members for ACE are Amazon, Apple TV+, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association and Chairman of ACE.

About the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)

An agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), IPOPHL was created by virtue of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property (IP) Code of the Philippines. It is mandated to protect IP and create policies and programs that shape the IP system to be a tool for promoting innovative and creative activities, facilitating transfer of technology, attracting foreign investments and ensuring market access for products.

The IPOPHL sits at the National Committee on IP Rights as vice-chair. It is also an ex-officio member of the National Innovation Council and the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, which are respectively tasked to foster innovation and creativity in the country.

About GMA Network

GMA Network, Inc. is the Philippines’ leading broadcasting company, which produces the most innovative, most trusted, and top-rating TV programs.

Also known as the Kapuso Network, GMA brings superior entertainment and responsible, unbiased, and timely delivery of comprehensive and accurate News and Information to Filipinos anywhere in the world – through its TV, radio, online platforms and wide array of other media-related ventures: program syndication, film production, music publishing and distribution, set design, audio-visual production, and new media.

Based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement data from January to September 2024, GMA Network including GTV and other digital channels tallied a combined people net reach of 92 percent or 67 million viewers in Total Philippines. Headquartered in Quezon City, GMA operates a network of 115 TV stations and 21 radio stations throughout the country.

Officially listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2007, GMA Network, Inc. is regarded as one of the most notable organizations that promote sustainability in the country, being the first media and broadcasting company in the Philippines to sign with the United Nations (UN) Global Compact.

For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.

About Globe

Globe Telecom, Inc. is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It offers innovative digital solutions in the areas of fintech, healthtech, adtech, climate tech, shared services and venture capital. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implementing universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.

PR Newswire

Infobird Co., Ltd Announces Receipt of Delinquency Notification Letter from Nasdaq

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BEIJING, Dec. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Infobird Co., Ltd (NASDAQ: IFBD) (“Infobird” or the “Company”), ), a leading and long-standing SaaS providers in serving large enterprises in the finance industry in customer engagement with over 10 years of experience in China, today announced that it received a delinquency notification letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on December 6, 2022 indicating that the Company is not currently in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq’s Listing Rules for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as the closing bid price for the Company’s ordinary shares listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market was below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. The Notice provides that the Company has a period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Notice, or until June 5, 2023, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.

The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s securities. Pursuant to the Notice, the Company has until June 5, 2023 to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, during which time the Company’s ordinary shares will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. If at any time before June 5, 2023, the bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares closes at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, Nasdaq will provide written confirmation of compliance to the Company. In the event that the Company does not regain compliance by June 5, 2023, the Company may be eligible for additional time to regain compliance or may face delisting.

The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its ordinary shares and will continue to consider its available options to address the deficiency during the compliance period.

About Infobird Co., Ltd

Infobird Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: IFBD), is a software-as-a-service, or SaaS, provider of innovative AI-powered, or artificial intelligence enabled, customer engagement solutions in China. Leveraging self-developed cloud-native architecture, AI and machine learning capabilities, patented Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, application technologies, no-code development platform, and in-depth industry expertise, it primarily provides holistic software solutions to help its corporate clients proactively deliver and manage end-to-end customer engagement activities at all stages of the sales process including pre-sales and sales activities and post-sales customer support. It also offers AI-powered cloud-based sales force management software including intelligent quality inspection and intelligent training software to help our clients monitor, benchmark and improve the performances of agents. For more information, please visit http://www.infobird.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this press release, as well as the Company’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Forms 20-F and 6-K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company’s goals and strategies; the Company’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; and the Company’s expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F and current report on Form 6-K and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable laws.

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PR Newswire

Court Dismisses ROHM Semiconductor USA’s Lawsuit for Declaratory Judgment of Noninfringement of MaxPower Semiconductor’s Patents and Compels Arbitration

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 15, 2021 — MaxPower Semiconductor, Inc. (MaxPower), provider of high-performance power semiconductor products, today announced that, following a hearing on February 4, 2021, the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed ROHM Semiconductor USA LLC (ROHM USA)’s complaint for declaratory judgment of noninfringement of MaxPower’s patents.  The court held that MaxPower’s Technology License Agreement (TLA) with ROHM Co., Ltd. (ROHM Japan; 6963:JPTokyo) binds ROHM Japan’s subsidiaries, including ROHM USA, and that the same agreement requires ROHM USA to arbitrate its noninfringement claims.

"We are pleased that the Court granted our motion to compel arbitration. We look forward to resolving the dispute over ROHM’s breach of our longstanding non-exclusive trench MOSFET technology and patent license. We are confident that we will prevail in the arbitration, and we intend to continue to aggressively protect our technology assets and other intellectual property rights," said Dr. Mohamed Darwish, MaxPower’s President and CEO.

Roger Cook, MaxPower’s lead counsel commented: "ROHM has been using this improper declaratory judgment proceeding to avoid arbitrated resolution of the technology license dispute involving ROHM’s sales of silicon carbide trench MOSFETs. Thankfully, resolution of this dispute should now go forward."

About the Case
Facing MaxPower’s claim that ROHM Japan was in breach of its obligations under the Technology License Agreement, on September 23, 2020, ROHM USA filed a lawsuit against MaxPower seeking a declaratory judgment that ROHM’s silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs do not infringe four MaxPower U.S. patents. The Court’s order dismissing the suit and compelling ROHM USA to arbitration can be found at https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/36415380/Rohm_Semiconductor_USA,_LLC_v_MaxPower_Semiconductor,_Inc, Case No. 20-cv-06686-VC.

About MaxPower Semiconductor Inc.
MaxPower Semiconductor, Inc. is a fabless, leading-edge power semiconductor company dedicated to delivering innovative and cost-effective field-proven technologies/products that optimize Power Management Solutions. MaxPower is a privately held company with a very strong and expansive IP portfolio founded by an internationally renowned team in the power technology industry. For more information, please visit  https://www.maxpowersemi.com

 

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PR Newswire

The Receiver of the Titanium Blockchain Infrastructure Services, Inc. (“TBIS”) Estate Announces Notice of Bar Date to Submit Claims Against TBIS Receivership Estate

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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Titanium Blockchain Infrastructure Services, Inc.; EHI Internetwork and Systems Management, Inc. aka EHI-INSM, Inc.; and Michael Alan Stollery aka Michael Stollaire, Civil Action No. 18-cv-4315 DSF (JPRx)

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2021 — The following notice has been issued by the receiver of the Titanium Blockchain Infrastructure Services, Inc. ("TBIS") Estate pursuant to the Order authorizing Claims Process and Bar Date dated August 21, 2020, as modified December 15, 2020, in the action Securities and Exchange Commission v. Titanium Blockchain Infrastructure Services, Inc.; EHI Internetwork and Systems Management, Inc. aka EHI-INSM, Inc.; and Michael Alan Stollery aka Michael Stollaire, Civil Action No. 18-cv-4315 DSF (JPRx), before the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

NOTICE OF CLAIMS PROCESS AND CLAIMS BAR DATE

THIS NOTICE MAY AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. AMONG OTHER THINGS, FAILURE TO TIMELY SUBMIT A CLAIM PURSUANT TO THE DIRECTIONS BELOW MAY RESULT IN YOUR CLAIM BEING BARRED FROM A DISTRIBUTION

To Potential Claimant:

On May 30, 2018, the above-captioned Court entered an Order appointing Josias Dewey as Receiver for the estate of Titanium Blockchain Infrastructure Services ( "TBIS Estate"). On August 21, 2020, the Court entered an Order authorizing the Claims Process and Bar Date, as modified December 15, 2020. Copies of these orders and other information regarding this case are available on the TBIS Receivership website at http://tbis.io.

You are receiving this Notice because our records indicate you may hold a claim against the TBIS Estate. Receiving this Notice does not mean that you hold a claim or that your claim will be eligible for a distribution from the TBIS Estate.

The TBIS Case

As alleged by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Titanium President Michael Alan Stollery, a/k/a Michael Stollaire, lied about business relationships with the Federal Reserve and dozens of well-known firms for purposes of promoting an Initial Coin Offering ("ICO").  Titanium’s website contained fabricated testimonials from these supposed corporate customers. These fraudulent statements were used to promote the ICO, which Stollaire advertised through videos and social media. The SEC’s complaint charged Stollaire and Titanium with violating Sections 5(a), 5(c), and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5(a) and 10b-5(c) thereunder. The complaint charged another Stollaire company, EHI Internetwork and Systems Management Inc., with violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rules 10b-5(a) and 10b-5(c) thereunder.

Eligible Claimants and Claims Process

You may be eligible to submit a claim if you: (i) are a creditor of Titanium; (ii) directly purchased Titanium Bar ("BAR") or TBAR from Titanium; (iii) purchased BAR from a third party (other than Titanium) prior to February 22, 2018, held such BAR through February 22, 2018, received TBAR from Titanium by virtue of your BAR holdings, and held such TBAR through May 29, 2018; or (iv) purchased TBAR from a third party (other than Titanium) prior to May 29, 2018 and held such TBAR through May 29, 2018.

How Do I Submit a Claim?

Information regarding the claims process is available on the Receiver’s website, http://tbis.io, including necessary instructions on how to submit a claim through the online claim system.

Deadline for Submitting Claims

Notice is hereby given that all people with potential claims for recovery from the TBIS Estate should file their claim with the Receiver so that it is actually submitted on the Receiver’s online claim system, http://tbis.io, by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on August 11, 2021 (the "Bar Date").  Claims should be filed electronically through this online claim system.

Individuals or entities that believe they have good cause to either extend the Bar Date or to submit their claim by other means should request this from the Receiver at tbis@hklaw.com no later than the Bar Date. Unless a claim is subject to a Receiver-granted exception, all claims against TBIS Estate assets that are not received by the Bar Date are barred.

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PR Newswire

Celgard Successful in UK Appeal Court, Keeping Injunction Against Senior UK Battery Separator Imports Through Trial

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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Oct. 13, 2020 — Following a September 29 appeal hearing, the UK Court of Appeal on October 9 dismissed Senior’s appeal of the UK High Court’s July 30 Judgement, and August 6 Order, granting an injunction through trial in the terms sought by Celgard that blocks Senior’s import of Battery Separators into the UK through trial. In its first decision to consider the EU Trade Secrets Directive and equivalent domestic Regulations, the UK Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the UK High Court to grant an interim injunction under the Regulations to prevent the import of allegedly "infringing goods" into the UK. The Court of Appeal’s dismissal of Senior’s appeal supports the UK High Court’s Judgement in favor of Celgard, which not only granted the injunction against Senior, but also held that Celgard had established an arguable case that Senior had used its trade secrets in developing and manufacturing battery separators and that England was the proper forum for the importation dispute.

Celgard® coated and uncoated dry-process microporous membranes are used as separators that are a major component of lithium-ion batteries. Celgard’s battery separator technology is important to the performance of lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles, energy storage systems and other applications.
Celgard® coated and uncoated dry-process microporous membranes are used as separators that are a major component of lithium-ion batteries. Celgard’s battery separator technology is important to the performance of lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles, energy storage systems and other applications.

Celgard, LLC (Celgard), a subsidiary of Polypore International, LP (Polypore) first obtained an ex parte interim injunction Order against Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co., Ltd. (Senior) on May 7. On July 30, following a full substantive hearing, the UK High Court gave Judgement continuing the injunction and on August 6 made a corresponding Order in the terms sought by Celgard that blocks Senior’s import of Battery Separators into the UK through trial. 

Earlier, on March 2, Celgard filed a Complaint against Defendants Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co. Ltd. (Senior-China), Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co. Ltd. (US) Research Institute (Senior-California), Xiaomin (Steven) Zhang, Sun Town Technology, Inc., Global Venture Development, LLC, and Global Venture Development, Inc. (collectively, Global Venture) (collectively, WDNC Defendants) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (WDNC) for trade secret misappropriation, unfair and deceptive trade practices and unfair competition, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment and conversion. The WDNC Complaint alleges the WDNC Defendants, including a former Celgard employee, Xiaomin (Steven) Zhang, now CTO of Senior-China who changed his name to Bin Wang at the request of Senior-China, purposely and unlawfully misappropriated Celgard’s trade secrets and confidential information and continue to do so. Several other violations of the law are also alleged. See Release.

Additionally, on August 6, Celgard filed a Third Amended Complaint against Defendants including Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co. Ltd. (US) Research Institute (Senior-California), Farasis, and others (collectively, NDCA Defendants) for patent infringement, breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (NDCA). The NDCA Third Amended Complaint alleges the NDCA Defendants infringe Celgard’s United States Reissued Patent RE47,520 (the ‘520 patent), formerly United States Patent 6,432,586 (the ‘586 patent), and Celgard’s United States Patent No. 6,692,867 (the ‘867 patent). 

In September 2019, Celgard successfully settled a patent infringement lawsuit against Targray International. See Release. Celgard also successfully settled two suits in June 2019, against MTI Corporation. See Release.

Celgard intends to fully pursue its trade secret case against Senior in the UK and in the US. The UK Court of Appeal win, the UK High Court interim injunction, and the successful outcome of the Targray and MTI cases further solidify the integrity of Celgard’s intellectual property (IP) regarding trade secrets and coated and uncoated separators for lithium-ion batteries. Celgard will continue to prevent the unfair exploitation of its technology and IP to safeguard its assets and customers.

About Celgard and Polypore

Celgard specializes in coated and uncoated dry-process microporous membranes used as separators that are a major component of lithium-ion batteries. Celgard’s battery separator technology is important to the performance of lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles, energy storage systems and other applications.

Celgard, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polypore International, LP, an Asahi Kasei Company.

Polypore is a global company with facilities in nine countries specializing in microporous membranes used in electric and nonelectric vehicles, energy storage systems and specialty applications. Visit www.celgard.com and www.polypore.com.

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Choirock Mecard’s Complete Victory in All Global Patent Disputes against Spin Master

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SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 8, 2020 — The toy brand Mecard, which is developed with proprietary technology owned by Korean toy company Choirock Contents Factory Co., Ltd., won a complete victory in all of the global patent disputes against Spin Master, Ltd., a Canadian global toy company.

In 2018, Spin Master sued a US toy company, Mattel, Inc., in the United States, Canada, Australia, etc., alleging that Mecard toys infringed Spin Master’s “Bakugan” patents. Mattel was distributing Mecard toys in those countries through its license obtained from Choirock. But Mecard’s entrance into the global market have been obstructed by Spin Master’s lawsuits. 

In March 2019, in response to Spin Master’s lawsuits, Choirock filed inter partes review petitions before the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), challenging validity of Spin Master’s three US “Bakugan” patents. Spin Master alleged that Mecard infringed these three patents. In September 2020, the PTAB ruled that all of the challenged claims of each “Bakugan” patent are unpatentable. It is very rare for the PTAB to invalidate all of the challenged claims of multiple family patents as it did in this instance. By confirming that Spin Master’s “Bakugan” patents lack patentability because they are nothing more than previously developed or known toy technologies, these rulings provided a complete victory to Choirock.

Prior to these rulings, an Italian Court (EU) and the Supreme Court of China also ruled that Spin Master’s EU patent is unpatentable and that “Mecard” toys do not infringe Spin Master’s Chinese patent, respectively. In particular, the Milano Court of Italy held that core claims of Spin Master’s EU patent that resemble those used by Spin Master in other litigations were unpatentable. Likewise, Choirock won a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Spin Master in the Supreme Court of China. This victory in China confirmed that the “Mecard” patents have their own originality and creativity completely different from those of the “Bakugan” patents. Accordingly, Choirock has successfully cleared away all of the obstacles relating to Spin Master’s “Bakugan” patents in its global business for the “Mecard” toys.  The “Mecard” toys employ an unique mechanism that transforms a toy by lifting up a card whereby the bottom surface of the card is exposed.  This mechanism is the first of its kind in the world.

Choirock owns intellectual property rights associated with the “Mecard” toys. Choirock announced that “based on our victory in the Spin Master disputes, which had obstructed the company’s business, the company will meet and discuss with various partners around the world to accelerate re-launch of the Mecard in the global market. Choirock stated that “the company will continue to strengthen its patents for the Mecard toys with respect to their unique mechanism of exposing the bottom surface of a card when transforming.” Choirock further stated that “like the Spin Master disputes, the company will take strong measures against any undue or wrongful assertion of infringement against Choirock and will actively protect its own IP.”

About Choirock

Choirock Contents Factory Co., Ltd. is Korea’s leading content creator and provider. Choirock is highly specialized in planning and development for toys, animations, and licensing business and dedicated to the creation of unique and innovative contents such as Turning Mecard®, Dino Mecard®, Ghost Mecard®, Bbasha Mecard®, Hello Carbot®, Hello Carbot Koong®, Hello Carbot Mini®, SofyRuby®, My Friend Koriri®, Bite Choicar® among many others. Choirock is committed to provide ‘Delight To Play’ for children and families. Visit us online at www.choirockcf.com.

Logo – https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20201007/2942563-1LOGO?lang=0

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PR Newswire

AutoStore sues Ocado for infringing technology patents central to the Ocado Smart Platform

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– Ocado Smart Platform’s automated storage and retrieval system unlawfully infringes AutoStore’s patented technology

– Ocado has signed agreements with retailers such as Kroger, Marks & Spencer and Morrisons for systems that infringe AutoStore’s intellectual property

– Complaints filed in both United States (US International Trade Commission; US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia) and United Kingdom (High Court of England and Wales)

– AutoStore seeks orders barring Ocado and its partners from manufacturing and selling infringing products and importing them into the United States, as well as financial damages

NEDRE VATS, Norway, Oct. 2, 2020 — AutoStore, the pioneer and global leader in automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), today filed patent infringement lawsuits in the United States and the United Kingdom against the UK FTSE 100-listed online grocery retailer and technology company, Ocado Group Plc.

The Black Line(TM): One of AutoStore’s Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems
The Black Line(TM): One of AutoStore’s Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems

AutoStore is seeking court orders barring Ocado and its partner, Tharsus Group (of Blyth, UK), from manufacturing, importing, using and selling technology that infringes AutoStore’s patents, as well as monetary damages. Ocado has signed agreements with retailers such as Kroger (US), Marks & Spencer (UK), and Morrisons (UK) that rely on the continued infringement of AutoStore’s intellectual property.

AutoStore has filed complaints in the following tribunals:

  • The US International Trade Commission, seeking an exclusion order preventing the importation of Ocado’s infringing products into the United States;
  • The US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, seeking an injunction against, among other things, the manufacture, sale, and use of Ocado’s infringing products, as well as monetary damages for Ocado’s past and ongoing infringement of AutoStore’s intellectual property; and
  • The High Court of England and Wales, seeking, among other remedies, an injunction barring the manufacture, sale, and use of Ocado’s infringing products in the United Kingdom, as well as monetary damages.

The complaint filed with the US International Trade Commission also names Printed Motor Works (of Hampshire, UK), an Ocado supplier, as a respondent.

"Since 1996, AutoStore has developed and pioneered technology that has revolutionized retail storage and order fulfillment, and is driving the growth of online retail," said Karl Johan Lier, CEO and President of AutoStore. "Our ownership of the technology at the heart of Ocado’s warehousing system is clear. We will not tolerate Ocado’s continued infringement of our intellectual property rights in its effort to boost its growth and attempt to transform itself into a global technology company." 

AutoStore’s innovative automated storage and retrieval systems provide unprecedented configurability and flexibility to warehouse owners and operators. In the AutoStore system, storage bins are stacked vertically in a grid and stored in a cubic structure, with the bins retrieved by robots that travel on the top of the structure. AutoStore currently supports more than 500 installations and 18,000 robots across 30 countries, serving markets from grocery and healthcare to aviation for customers including ASDA (UK), Best Buy (USA), and Lufthansa (Germany).  Ocado too is an AutoStore customer, having first purchased AutoStore technology in 2012.

Ocado’s infringement of AutoStore’s AS/RS intellectual property – including the storage system and robots – is the foundation on which the "Ocado Smart Platform" (OSP) was built and on which Ocado’s business today is based. 

Ocado infringes the AutoStore patented technology, deploying it in Customer Fulfillment Centers ("CFCs") for its own online grocery business and for its customers, such as Morrisons in the UK. Ocado also entered into a partnership with Kroger (US) in 2018 to establish up to 20 CFC sites in the US based on AutoStore’s patented technology.

Ocado’s OSP infringes several AutoStore patents, including those relating to the fundamental central cavity design of the AS/RS robots; the arrangement of the lifting mechanism that enables those robots to lift and place bins in their cavities; and the robots’ in-wheel motors. A court in Norway has already found that AutoStore is entitled to ownership of its patents covering the robots’ central cavity technology, yet Ocado has continued to pursue lucrative partnerships by selling that technology – as well as other AutoStore-owned technology – as its own.

About AutoStore
Founded in 1996 as Jakob Hatteland Logistics AS, AutoStore is a robotics technology company that invented and continues to pioneer Cube Storage Automation, the densest storage technology. Its focus is to combine software and hardware with human capabilities to further develop the future of efficient warehouses. With more than 500 installations in 30 countries, the company is represented in a variety of industries. Sales, designs, and installations are carried out by a network of qualified integrators who are its partners. Its headquarters are in Nedre Vats, Norway, and it has offices, warehouses and / or manufacturing sites in the USA, UK, Poland, Germany, France, Korea and Japan.

Enquiries 
Brunswick Group

US – Matt Levine – +1-212-333-3810 or mlevine@brunswickgroup.com
UK & Europe – Tim Danaher – +44-20-7404-5959 or tdanaher@brunswickgroup.com
All other markets: autostore@brunswickgroup.com

The Black Line(TM): One of AutoStore’s Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems
The Black Line(TM): One of AutoStore’s Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems

 

Ocado Automated Storage & Retrieval System
Ocado Automated Storage & Retrieval System

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PR Newswire

Canadian Solar Comments on ITC Complaint Filed by Solaria Corporation

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GUELPH, ON, Sept. 25, 2020 — Canadian Solar Inc. (the "Company", or "Canadian Solar") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), today issued the following comment:

Over the past five months, Canadian Solar has been vigorously litigating a patent lawsuit filed by Solaria in April 2020 in the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California, entitled The Solaria Corporation v. Canadian Solar Inc., Case No. 4:20-cv-02169-JST (N.D. Cal.). Canadian Solar countersued with claims requesting that the Court declare, as Canadian Solar believes, that:

(1) none of the products at issue in the case infringe the Solaria patents;

(2) Solaria withheld key evidence from the U.S. Patent Office when seeking its patents; and

(3) this, among other reasons, renders the asserted claims both invalid and unenforceable. 

In the face of Canadian Solar’s countersuit, Solaria opted to file a new lawsuit with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), entitled Certain Shingled Solar Modules, Components Thereof, and Methods for Manufacturing the Same, Section 337 Investigation Docket No. 3491. The ITC investigation is expected to be instituted next month. 

Asserting the same family of patents against the same limited number of products (HiDM and HiDM5) in a different forum does not make Solaria’s claims any less flawed. Canadian Solar will continue to vigorously defend these lawsuits, while the Company continues to focus its energy on developing superior product and bringing innovation to the market.

About Canadian Solar Inc.

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world’s largest solar power companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and provider of solar energy solutions and has a geographically diversified pipeline of utility-scale solar power projects in various stages of development. Over the past 19 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered over 46 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers in over 150 countries. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar industry, having been publicly listed on NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are made under the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by such terms as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general business and economic conditions and the state of the solar industry; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as Japan, the U.S., India and China; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; delays in utility-scale project approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; delays in the completion of project sales; delays in the process of qualifying to list the MSS subsidiary in the PRC; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange rate fluctuations; litigation and other risks as described in the Company’s SEC filings, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2020. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today’s date, unless otherwise stated, and Canadian Solar undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Related Links :

http://www.canadiansolar.com

PR Newswire

JinkoSolar Receives Determination in German Court in Patent Litigation Brought by Hanwha Q CELLS

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SHANGHAI and MUNICH, June 19, 2020 — JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar”) (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, today responded to the Regional Court of Düsseldorf’s recent determination concluding that third-party cell technology contained in certain JinkoSolar modules, no longer in production, infringes a patent held by Hanwha Q CELLS. JinkoSolar believes the Düsseldorf court came to an erroneous conclusion and will appeal the decision. JinkoSolar is also challenging the Hanwha patent’s validity at the European Patent Office (“EPO”).

Importantly, the scope and impact of the Düsseldorf court’s decision is limited to Germany. Additionally, the decision relates to third-party cells included in older versions of JinkoSolar-branded modules which are no longer in production. As such, the decision has no impact on current JinkoSolar customers, and JinkoSolar may continue to import and sell modules that use its own cell technology to customers in Germany.

“We respectfully disagree with the recent decision of the Düsseldorf court, which did not take any independent expert evidence and based its decision on one sided allegations,” said Kangping Chen, CEO of JinkoSolar. “We continue to believe that Hanwha’s claims are without merit and were brought solely to slow down our business momentum. We will pursue all legal avenues to vigorously defend against Hanwha’s claims, including contesting the validity of the patent associated with the cell technology in question. Providing JinkoSolar’s customers with industry-leading solar modules remains our top priority and we will continue to work tirelessly to achieve that end.”

About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world. JinkoSolar distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, and other countries and regions. JinkoSolar has built a vertically integrated solar product value chain, with an integrated annual capacity of 17.5 GW for mono wafers, 10.6 GW for solar cells, and 16 GW for solar modules, as of March 31, 2020.

JinkoSolar has over 15,000 employees across its 7 productions facilities globally, 14 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Australia, and global sales teams in China, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Ukraine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Poland and Argentina.

To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com

Safe-Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends, “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company’s operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JinkoSolar’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:
Ripple Zhang
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 21-5183-3105
Email: ir@jinkosolar.com

Christian Arnell
Christensen
Tel: +86-10-5900-2940
Email: carnell@christensenir.com

In the U.S.:
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Christensen
Tel: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@ChristensenIR.com

Related Links :

http://www.jinkosolar.com

PR Newswire

Court Order Against Senior Preventing Importation of Battery Separators Into the United Kingdom is Extended

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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Following the United Kingdom (UK) court’s grant on May 7, 2020 of an interim injunction against Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co., Ltd. (Senior) as requested by Celgard, LLC (Celgard), a subsidiary of Polypore International, LP (Polypore), the matter returned before the UK court on May 21, 2020. The court’s new order continued the effect of the interim injunction pending a further substantive hearing that will take place on an agreed date between June 29 and July 10, 2020. Senior provided an official letter to the Judge acknowledging its formal undertakings to the UK court. Celgard intends to pursue an injunction through trial of its trade secret case against Senior at the next hearing.

Celgard® dry-process coated and uncoated microporous membranes are used as separators in various lithium-ion batteries used primarily in electric drive vehicles (EDV), energy storage systems (ESS) and other specialty applications.
Celgard® dry-process coated and uncoated microporous membranes are used as separators in various lithium-ion batteries used primarily in electric drive vehicles (EDV), energy storage systems (ESS) and other specialty applications.

On April 30, 2020, Celgard filed an application for an urgent injunction against Senior in the High Court of Justice in London, England. On May 7, on an ex parte basis, the UK court granted an interim injunction to prevent Senior from importing certain battery separators into the UK.

Earlier on March 2, Celgard filed a Complaint against Defendants Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co. Ltd. (Senior-China), Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co. Ltd. (US) Research Institute (Senior-California), Xiaomin (Steven) Zhang, Sun Town Technology, Inc., Global Venture Development, LLC, and Global Venture Development, Inc. (collectively, Global Venture) (collectively, WDNC Defendants) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (WDNC) for trade secret misappropriation, unfair and deceptive trade practices and unfair competition, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment and conversion.

Additionally, Celgard filed a Second Amended Complaint against Defendants Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co. Ltd. (US) Research Institute (Senior-California), Farasis Energy USA, Inc., Farasis Energy, Inc., Farasis Energy (Gan Zhou), Inc., and Farasis Energy (Gan Zhou) Co., Ltd. (collectively, Farasis), Sun Town Technology, Inc., Global Venture Development, LLC, and Global Venture Development, Inc. (collectively, Global Venture) (collectively, NDCA Defendants) for patent infringement, breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (NDCA).

The WDNC Complaint alleges the WDNC Defendants, including a former Celgard employee, Xiaomin (Steven) Zhang, now CTO of Senior-China who changed his name to Bin Wang at the request of Senior-China, purposely and unlawfully misappropriated Celgard’s trade secrets and confidential information and continue to do so. Several other violations of the law are also alleged.

The NDCA Second Amended Complaint alleges the NDCA Defendants infringe Celgard’s United States Reissued Patent RE47,520 (the ‘520 patent), formerly United States Patent 6,432,586 (the ‘586 patent), on ceramic coated separators, and Celgard’s United States Patent No. 6,692,867 (the ‘867 patent), on polypropylene separators, as well as several other violations of law and breaches. See Release.

In December 2019, Celgard filed a First Amended Complaint in the NDCA adding to the suit the Defendants Farasis, Sun Town, and Global Venture. See Release. 

In September 2019, Celgard filed suit against Senior who sells separators globally that they make in Shenzhen, China. Celgard’s Complaint alleges Senior has infringed Celgard’s U.S. ‘520 and ‘867 patents on ceramic coated and polypropylene separators, and has unlawfully misappropriated and misused Celgard’s trade secrets and confidential information, among other violations and seeks compensation for damages. See Release.

In September 2019, Celgard successfully settled a patent infringement lawsuit against Targray International. See Release. Celgard also successfully settled two suits in June 2019, against MTI Corporation. See Release.

The effective extension of the interim injunction and the successful outcome of the Targray and MTI cases further solidifies the integrity of Celgard’s intellectual property (IP) regarding coated and uncoated separators for lithium-ion batteries. Celgard will continue to prevent the unfair exploitation of its technology and IP to safeguard its assets and customers.

About Celgard and Polypore

Celgard specializes in coated and uncoated dry-process microporous membranes used as separators that are a major component of lithium-ion batteries. Celgard’s battery separator technology is important to the performance of lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles, energy storage systems and other applications.

Celgard, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polypore International, LP, an Asahi Kasei Company.

Polypore is a global company with facilities in nine countries specializing in microporous membranes used in electric and nonelectric vehicles, energy storage systems and specialty applications. Visit www.celgard.com and www.polypore.com.

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