Camtek Wins Appeal of the Decision in Rudolph Patent Infringement Case

Camtek Ltd. (Nasdaq: CAMT; TASE: CAMT) reported today that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which hears all patent appeals from U.S. federal courts nationwide, issued an opinion today vacating the adverse judgment against Camtek in a patent infringement case brought against it by August Technology Corp. (now Rudolph Technologies, Inc.) in the Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota.

The appellate decision comes six years after August sued Camtek for infringement of its patent (No. 6,826,298) on high-speed semiconductor wafer inspection technology. The District Court, following a jury decision, had entered a judgment of infringement, a permanent injunction against Camtek and an award of $8.7 million in damages plus interest. The Federal Circuit found that the District Court erred in the construction of a key claim term and vacated the finding of infringement, the damages award and the permanent injunction. The Court of Appeals remanded the case to the District Court for a limited trial based on the corrected claim construction, which significantly narrows the scope of August Technology's patent.

“We are pleased that the Court of Appeals vacated the judgment of infringement, damages and the permanent injunction. We shall now endeavor towards the next step in a favorable outcome with the remaining proceedings,” said Roy Porat, Chief Executive Officer of Camtek Ltd.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP argued the successful appeal on behalf of Camtek. Kramer Levin’s Camtek litigation team included Jonathan S. Caplan and Donald L. Rhoads.

The Am Law Litigation Daily reported on the case.

ABOUT CAMTEK LTD.

Camtek Ltd provides automated solutions dedicated for enhancing production processes and yield, enabling our customers new technologies in two industries; Semiconductors, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) & IC Substrates. Camtek addresses the specific needs of these industries with dedicated solutions based on a wide and advanced platform of technologies including intelligent imaging, image processing, ion milling and digital material deposition. Camtek’s solutions range from micro-to-nano by applying its technologies to the industry-specific requirements.