Asia PR News

LINKOPING, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ –

The Opposition Division of the European Patent Office (EPO) has confirmed
the validity of two patents of Norstel AB (Linkoping, Sweden) which had been
opposed by LPE S.p.A (Milan, Italy). Regarding the European Patent No 835 336,
LPE’s opposition was rejected in its entirety, whilst in European Patent No.
859 879 the patent was maintained after a minor clarification, which has no
adverse effect on the scope of protection, was made to the independent claims.

"Norstel is very delighted with these decisions by the EPO. It has now been
established that these patents are indeed valid over an overwhelming amount of
prior art. The filing of these oppositions reflects the growing interest in
HTCVD and related gas phase crystal growth technologies for Silicon Carbide and
group III Nitrides, to which Norstel has now been confirmed as owning the
pioneering rights," said Dr. Asko Vehanen, CEO of Norstel in a statement. "It
also demonstrates the determination of Norstel to protect and defend its core
technology in all situations in which Norstel’s IPR is challenged by any third
parties."

About Norstel AB
Norstel AB manufactures and develops wide bandgap semiconductor materials,
including silicon carbide (SiC) wafers and epitaxial layers. In power
electronics these materials enable new designs saving energy and improving
performance for a wide range of applications such as hybrid cars, mobile phone
base stations and radar systems. Norstel’s customers are semiconductor device
companies worldwide and Charles & Colvard, the sole source of moissanite
jewels. Norstel’s products and processes, including HTCVD crystal growth, are
based on more than ten years of research at Linkoping University, Sweden.
Norstel participates in several government funded national and international
research programs. Manufacturing capacity will increase significantly during
2006 as Norstel’s new plant in Norrkoping, Sweden, becomes operational.

Norstel was established in February 2005 as a spin-off from silicon wafer
manufacturer Okmetic Oyj. The Nordic venture capital companies Eqvitec,
Northzone and Creandum are major shareholders. For more information please
visit our web site at www.norstel.com

SOURCE: Norstel AB

CONTACT: Asko Vehanen,
CEO,
Norstel AB,
+46-11-21-17-40

Web site: http://www.norstel.com