Veeco, Asylum Research Settle AFM Patent Dispute

Metrology and process equipment provider Veeco Instruments Inc. of Plainview, N.Y., announced today that it has settled the patent lawsuit it brought against Asylum Research Corp. in 2003 involving its AFM (atomic force microscope) technology. Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Asylum was founded by former Veeco employees. Veeco alleged that Asylum's MFP-3D AFM infringed its patents. Under terms of the settlement, the companies will drop all pending claims against each other and sign a five year, worldwide cross license of each other’s patents. Asylum acknowledged the validity of Veeco's patents and will make a net payment to the company, plus pay an ongoing royalty for the cross license. Other terms were not disclosed. "Everyone in the field will welcome the end to this struggle because it allows us to return to doing what we do best -- making great AFMs and supporting our loyal customers," said Roger Proksch, president of Asylum.