ITC Judge Rules in Favor of SMC Corporation Concerning Patent Infringement Claim

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 19, 2008

Alexandria, Va. – An International Trade Commission (ITC) judge has ruled against a Colorado-based company regarding its claims that SMC Corporation and SMC Corporation of America violated 19 U.S.C. Section 1337 with unfair practices in import trade.

In making his determination on February 13, the Administrative Law Judge found that SMC's connecting devices utilized in the compressed air and pneumatics industry did not infringe a patent owned by Norgren, Inc. The U.S. patent at issue is number 5,372,392.

In the complaint, Norgren had called for an order prohibiting SMC from importing into the United States its connecting devices used to connect filters, regulators, and lubricators installed in compressed air systems, typically in assembly line type manufacturing applications.

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

Norgren, Inc. is represented by Ollila Law Group, LLC and Morgan & Finnegan, LLP.

The case is In re: 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 They Connect, U.S. International Trade Commission, 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. The firm also continues to have a significant trademark, copyright and patent interference practice.