Seizures at IBC show to enforce MPEG Audio patents

Amsterdam, September 13, 2005 - SISVEL obtained an order from the District Court of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to seize the set-top-boxes displayed at the IBC show by a number of companies not licensed under the MPEG Audio patents.

SISVEL S.p.A. and its U.S. subsidiary Audio MPEG, Inc. have exclusive worldwide rights to license the patents owned by Philips, France Telecom and IRT covering essential elements of the ISO/IEC 11172-3 and ISO/IEC 13818-3 MPEG Standards directed to MPEG Audio layers 1, 2 and 3 (MP3) technology.

In response to the continued patent infringement and persistent refusal to obtain a license under the MPEG Audio patents, on September 12, 2005 SISVEL filed a request before the District Court of Amsterdam to get permission to seize the set top boxes conforming to the MPEG Audio Standard of Force Electronics A/S (Norway), Homecast Co., Ltd. (Korea), Shenzen Coship Electronics Co., Ltd. (China), Shenzhen Success Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (China).
The Amsterdam Court ordered the seizure of the set-top boxes of these companies that were displayed at their respective booths at the IBC fair in Amsterdam.

On September 13, 2005 the Amsterdam bailiff together with SISVEL’s representatives executed the Court order, by seizing and removing all set-top-boxes from the booths of the abovementioned companies.

Since the Chinese companies did not cooperate with the bailiff and tried to evade the Court order, the bailiff was forced to ask the Dutch police to intervene.

“SISVEL's actions were necessary to enforce its intellectual property rights and to safeguard all current licensees from unlawful competitors. Companies investing in research and development are to be reimbursed for their investment and are to be encouraged to continue their important development work," said Mr. Roberto Dini, the founder of SISVEL.

About SISVEL S.p.A. SISVEL has been in the business of licensing electronics patents for over 20 years and manages both its own patents and third parties’ patents. Having managed significant licensing programs and having licensed hundreds of companies, it is familiar with the consumer electronic product manufacturers throughout the world, as well as their suppliers and retailers. SISVEL facilitates and manages all aspects of the licensing and has significant experience monitoring the consumer electronic market to identify suitable licensees. For more information about the patents offered for license and the terms of the license contact SISVEL ( www.sisvel.com) or Audio MPEG, Inc. www.audiompeg.com