Optical Cable Division Wins Suit

Applied Optical Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Roanoke-based Optical Cable Corporation since October, has won a patent infringement lawsuit brought three years ago, by Amphenol Fiber Systems International, a subsidiary of Amphenol Corporation.

The jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas unanimously determined that an AOS' fiber-optic connector design does not infringe on FSI's U.S. Patent 6,305,849. The jury decision follows an earlier U.S. District Court ruling.

The fiber optic connectors at issue are most often used in military and other harsh environment applications, and include a four-channel second generation tactical fiber optic cable assembly (or TFOCA) connector design that has been a reliable standard for the U.S. military and allied militaries for a number of years.

"OCC acquired AOS to enhance the integrated fiber optic and copper datacom cabling and connectivity solutions we provide in our targeted markets,” says Neil Wilkin, president and CEO of Optical Cable. "The favorable resolution of this lawsuit advances that strategy, permitting OCC to pair AOS' innovative and unique fiber optic connectivity products with OCC's field-proven fiber optic cabling products for military and other harsh environment applications.”

The findings in the U.S. District Court clear the way for AOS to continue to manufacture and distribute its two military specification compliant four-channel TFOCA-style fiber optic connectors, as well as its EZMATET connectors, which is designed for other harsh environment applications. Still pending are AOS' allegations against FSI for improper use of the litigation and the patent in violation of U.S. antitrust laws.

(From press release.)