Release Date: 01/24/2020

Chandler, Arizona, January 24, 2020: The German affiliate of Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG) recently obtained favorable rulings in both of its patent infringement proceedings filed against KCC Corporation in Germany and provides the following updates:

  • European Patent 1 061 783 (relating to ceramic-metal multiple substrates typically known as “DCB master cards” with a certain edge reduction feature): On December 20, 2019, the Regional Court of Duesseldorf ruled that KCC Corporation infringed Rogers’ patent based on a complaint filed in May 2018. The Court, amongst other things, ordered KCC Corporation to refrain from offering and distributing patent infringing DCB master cards in Germany. This judgment is provisionally enforceable if Rogers provides a corresponding security and subject to appeal.
  • European Patent 1 412 307 (relating to the process for manufacturing Direct Copper Bonded (DCB) substrates): On January 8, 2020, the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe issued an order to take evidence, overruling an earlier trial court determination on infringement complaints filed by Rogers against two KCC companies in December 2015. The Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe rejected the Regional Court’s interpretation of the patent and has now ordered that a Court expert should examine whether KCC’s process realizes the asserted claim features.

KCC initiated validity challenges against both patents. With regard to EP ‘307, the Federal Patent Court dismissed KCC’s nullity complaint in its entirety in April 2018. KCC’s appeal against this decision is currently pending. With regard to EP ‘783, the EPO Opposition Division of the European Patent Office upheld claim 1 in amended form. After the appeal against the EPO decision was withdrawn, KCC Europe GmbH filed a nullity complaint with the German Federal Court in summer 2019. These nullity proceedings are also still pending.

More information regarding these proceedings can be found here:

English: https://www.bardehle.com/ip-news-knowledge/firm-news/news-detail/rogers-on-the-road-to-success-in-two-patent-infringement-proceedings-against-kcc-in-germany.html

German: https://www.bardehle.com/de/ip-news-wissen/firm-news/news-detail/rogers-auf-der-erfolgsspur-in-zwei-patentverletzungsverfahren-gegen-kcc-in-deutschland.html

Rogers provides no details regarding potential damages or other relief expected in these proceedings.

About Rogers Corporation

Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG) is a global leader in engineered materials to power, protect, and connect our world. With more than 180 years of materials science experience, Rogers delivers high-performance solutions that enable the company’s growth drivers-- advanced connectivity and advanced mobility applications, as well as other technologies where reliability is critical. Rogers delivers Power Electronics Solutions for energy-efficient motor drives, e-Mobility and renewable energy; Elastomeric Material Solutions for sealing, vibration management and impact protection in mobile devices, transportation interiors, industrial equipment and performance apparel; and Advanced Connectivity Solutions for wireless infrastructure, automotive safety and radar systems. Headquartered in Arizona (USA), Rogers operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, China, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and South Korea, with joint ventures and sales offices worldwide.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements, which concern our plans, objectives, outlook, goals, strategies, future events, future net sales or performance, capital expenditures, future restructuring, plans or intentions relating to expansions, business trends and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause such results to differ include: failure to capitalize on, volatility within, or other adverse changes with respect to the Company's growth drivers, including advanced mobility and advanced connectivity, such as delays in adoption or implementation of new technologies; uncertain business, economic and political conditions in the United States and abroad, particularly in China, South Korea, Germany, Hungary and Belgium, where we maintain significant manufacturing, sales or administrative operations; the ongoing trade policy dispute between the United States and China, as well as adverse changes in trade policy, tariff regulation or other trade restrictions, including trade restrictions on Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the results of our research and development efforts; adverse competitive developments, including the extent to which our products are incorporated into end-user products and systems and the extent to which those products and systems achieve commercial success; business development transactions and related integration considerations, including failure to realize, or delays in the realization of anticipated benefits of such transactions; the outcome of ongoing and future litigation, including our asbestos-related product liability litigation; inability to obtain raw materials, including commodities, from single or limited source suppliers in a timely and cost effective manner; uncertainties with regard to the expense associated with the termination and settlement of the Rogers Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan; and changes in laws and regulations applicable to our business. For additional information about the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect our business, please see our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Rogers Corporation assumes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements contained herein except as required by law.

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