ITC Decides Not To Review Ruling in SMC, Norgren Probe

For Immediate Release

April 18, 2008

The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a notice on April 14 indicating that it will not review the Administrative Law Judge's initial decision that SMC Corporation and SMC Corporation of America's pneumatic connecting devices do not infringe a patent owned by Norgren Inc.

Administrative Law Judge Carl Charneski issued his initial decision on February 13, responding to a complaint filed by Norgren in 2006. He found that SMC's connecting devices utilized in the compressed air and pneumatics industry did not infringe a patent owned by Norgren. The U.S. patent at issue is number 5,372,392.

Norgren protested Judge Charneski's decision and asked the ITC to review it. The ITC's April 14 decision not to review Judge Charneski's initial determination terminates the investigation with a finding of no violation under 19 U.S.C. Section 1337.

SMC is represented in this matter by Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

Norgren is represented by Ollila Law Group, LLC.

The case is In the Matter of: Certain Connecting Devices ("Quick-Clamps) For Use With Modular Compressed Air Conditioning Units, Including Filters, Regulators, and Lubricators ("FRL's") That Are Part Of Larger Pneumatic Systems And The FRL Units The Connect, Investigation Number 337-TA-587.

Assisting clients for 40 years, Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C., in Alexandria, Va., is one of the largest intellectual property specialty firms in the United States. The firm provides a full range of intellectual property services, including litigation matters in all courts, as well as trademark, copyright and patent interference services.