Taipei, March 28, 2008 (CENS)-U.S. District Court, Northern District of California recently judged for Elantech Devices Corp. in a lawsuit against Santa Clara, California-headquartered Synaptics, Inc. over a touch-screen technology patent.

Elantech, an affiliate of design house Elan Microelectronics Corp., filed the lawsuit in early 2006 with the U.S. court, accusing Synpatics of violating its patent for a finger counting technology by using such technology on its touchpad for notebook computers. The U.S. computer firm countersued in no time. The court ruled summarily on March 26, stating that Synaptics` Type II firmware infringes Elantech`s U.S. 5825352 patent and issuing preliminary injunction to Synpatics.

Taiwanese industry watchers pointed out that such conviction will help ease Elantech`s efforts to vie for orders from international buyers of notebook-computer and mobile-phone touch screens.

They said the victory suggests Elantech and Elan have won dominance in global market of touch-screen market. They estimated touch-screen IC business will likely rise to 10-15% of Elan`s revenue this year, up from last year`s 5%.

Elantech went public on Taiwan`s over-the-counter market in October last year, and has won several patents, as well as licensing Elan to use its patents on its designs.

(by Ken Liu)