BEDFORD, Mass., September 6, 2013 – iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, obtained preliminary injunctions against Chinese companies Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd and Shenzhen Silver Star Intelligent Electronic Ltd. (together: “Shenzhen Silver Star”) with the District Court of Düsseldorf. The request was based on the German parts of four European patents, EP 1 331 537 B1, EP 2 251 757 B1, EP 1 969 438 B1, and EP 1 395 888 B1.
The District Court of Düsseldorf granted the preliminary injunctions against Shenzhen Silver Star confirming that the vacuum cleaner robots of the types XR210, M-H688 and M-788 infringe all four asserted patents. Shenzhen Silver Star can appeal the Court’s decision. The preliminary injunctions were served on Shenzhen Silver Star and infringing goods were seized from the company today at IFA, a leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances in Berlin.
“iRobot has made significant investments to protect its intellectual property. The company has sold more than 10 million home robots worldwide and intends to protect its patent portfolio by the appropriate means available domestically and abroad,” said Colin Angle, chairman and chief executive officer of iRobot.
iRobot's patent portfolio now contains more than 200 U.S. patents and 195 non-U.S. patents. The iRobot Home Robots business unit holds over 100 patents, 37 of which cover the Roomba® vacuum cleaning robot. Additional detail on iRobot intellectual property and patents can be found at www.irobot.com\patents.
Earlier this year, iRobot initiated legal action against four companies involved in selling the Solac Ecogenic AA3400 robotic vacuum cleaning robot based on five European patents held by iRobot.
In 2011, iRobot achieved a successful settlement with New Majestic S.p.A. after enforcing patents EP 1 969 438 and EP 2 251 757 in Italy.
About iRobot Corp.
iRobot designs and builds robots that make a difference. The company’s home robots help people find smarter ways to clean, its defense & security robots protect those in harm’s way, and its remote presence robots enable virtual presence from anywhere in the world. iRobot’s products feature proprietary technologies incorporating advanced concepts in navigation, mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. For more information about iRobot, please visitwww.irobot.com.
For iRobot Investors
Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, iRobot Corporation’s expectations concerning product availability, product performance and features and strategic alliances. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. iRobot Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by iRobot Corporation, see the disclosure contained in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Contact:
Matt Lloyd
Media Relations
iRobot Corp.
(781) 430-3720
mlloyd@irobot.com
Elise Caffrey
Investor Relations
iRobot Corp.
(781) 430-3003
ecaffrey@irobot.com
