PoE Vendor Files Infringement Complaint

Jul 5, 2007 11:07 AM

PowerDsine has filed a complaint alleging that AMI Semiconductor and AMI Semiconductor Belgium BVBA (collectively called AMIS) have breached an undertaking not to develop and market power-over-Ethernet (PoE) products based upon confidential information provided to AMIS by PowerDsine. On May 22, 2007, AMIS announced that "it was selected by Broadcom...as a design and technology partner for two new highly-integrated power sourcing equipment (PSE) controllers (the BCM59101 and BCM59103 PSE controllers) for use in Broadcom's PoE products ." The complaint from PowerDsine seeks to impose preliminary and permanent injunctions enjoining AMIS from, inter alia, engaging in any manufacturing, sale or assembly arrangement with Broadcom and any other seller or supplier of PoE products.

The complaint, which is pending before the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York, also seeks monetary damages from AMIS. "PowerDsine, is a pioneer of PoE technology and was a major force that will make PoE technology a part of almost every Ethernet network," stated Steven G. Litchfield, Microsemi executive vice-president and president of the analog mixed-signal group. "PowerDsine has been conducting research and development activities with respect to PoE technology for almost ten years and we believe that it is responsible for most of the innovation in this space. PowerDsine, like Microsemi, is never happy to initiate litigation, however, we were forced into this situation in order to protect our rights," Litchfield said.