News Article
GigOptix on the warpath with MA/COM and Optomai
GigOptix alleges that its former employees, now working at Optomai, violated confidentiality agreements by retaining and misusing confidential and proprietary information to launch competing company Optomai, which has now been acquired by M/A-COM.
On 25 April, GigOptix, a supplier of high performance electronic and electro-optic components that enable next generation 40G and 100G optical networks, announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Optomai, a start-up formed by five former GigOptix employees.
The lawsuit was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
Since Optimai has now been acquired by M/A COM Technology Solutions, GigOptix has amended the lawsuit to name M/A-COM Tech as an additional Defendant. GigOptix alleges that, by acquiring Optomai and by selling Optomai's products, M/A-COM has improperly accessed and used GigOptix's proprietary information. As is the case with the other Defendants, GigOptix seeks damages and injunctive relief in connection with its claims against M/A-COM.
GigOptix alleges in the lawsuit that the former employees violated confidentiality agreements with GigOptix by retaining and misusing confidential and proprietary GigOptix information to launch a competing company.
According to allegations in the lawsuit, the former employees created Optomai, Inc. in 2009 and have begun selling products that directly compete with GigOptix's products. GigOptix further alleges that Optomai used GigOptix technology and intellectual property to develop its products in violation of California law and that it is now selling its products as the "Optomai Optoelectronics" product line of MA-COM. GigOptix is seeking damages and injunctive relief.
GigOptix's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Avi Katz, stated, "GigOptix is committed to zealously protecting its intellectual property. We will take every step necessary to protect the technology we have developed and to ensure that our rights, the value we have created for our shareholders and business success are not compromised."
