Optical Cable Corporation (NASDAQ GM: OCC) (“OCC®” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of a broad range of fiber optic and copper data communication cabling and connectivity solutions, today announced that OCC and CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) have entered into a long-term agreement to cross-license portions of their patent portfolios.
The cross-license agreement relates to certain copper data communication connectivity patents of both OCC and CommScope, in addition to OCC’s in-building wireless patents. Both companies can access and implement the other company’s licensed patents and technologies under the agreement.
This agreement follows a 2004 agreement under which CommScope and SMP Data Communications, a company acquired by OCC in 2008, cross-licensed various copper data communication connectivity technologies of OCC and CommScope, including complementary core technologies of both companies that efficiently achieve Cat 6 and Cat 6A RJ45 connector performance.
“We are pleased to be entering this new mutually beneficial patent cross-license agreement with CommScope—continuing a more than 15 year relationship,” said Neil Wilkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of OCC. “OCC’s long history of innovative technologies, substantial capabilities and intellectual property is what enables our company to manufacture innovative fiber optic and copper cabling and connectivity solutions best suited to meet the critical communication needs of our customers and end-users in various environments, markets and applications. We are confident this agreement will deliver benefits in both the short-and long-term for our customers, end-users and shareholders.”
“We have had a long and productive relationship with OCC and we are pleased to extend it with this agreement,” said John Schmidt, Vice President Building Connectivity Infrastructure of CommScope. “Since our 2004 cross-license agreement, CommScope has continued to invest substantial resources in bringing advanced technology networking products and solutions to the market. CommScope has further built its patent portfolio in this technology area, both by internal development as well as through its acquisition of a significant patent portfolio in its acquisition of TE Connectivity’s Telecom, Enterprise and Wireless businesses in 2015. We look forward to continuing to grow this area of our business.”
