Microsemi and Cisco Systems Enter Into Agreement Relating to Power over Ethernet Patents


IRVINE, Calif., June 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microsemi Corporation (Nasdaq:MSCC), a leading manufacturer of high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits, high reliability semiconductors and RF subsystems, announced today that it has entered into a patent transfer and licensing agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO), covering Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) patents, including patents that are essential to the IEEE 802.11af and 802.11at PoE standards.

Microsemi believes that in addition to VoIP and Wireless LAN access points, PoE technology is expanding with a range of emerging applications, such as network cameras, access control devices, laptop computers, PDAs, fire sensors and alarms, audio and video remote monitoring and residential gateways. "We believe that the agreement reached will facilitate proliferation of PoE technology by eliminating uncertainties that exist with respect to IP positioning," said James J. Peterson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Microsemi. The terms of the Agreement remain confidential.

About Microsemi

Microsemi Corporation, with corporate headquarters in Irvine, California, is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, high reliability semiconductors and RF subsystems. The company's semiconductors manage and control or regulate power, protect against transient voltage spikes and transmit, receive and amplify signals.

Microsemi's products include individual components as well as integrated circuit solutions that enhance customer designs by improving performance and reliability, battery optimization, reducing size or protecting circuits. The principal markets the company serves include implanted medical, defense/aerospace and satellite, notebook computers, monitors and LCD TVs, automotive and mobile connectivity applications. More information may be obtained by contacting the company directly or by visiting its website at www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ctr%3Fd=181116%26amp;l=4%26amp;u=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.%20">http://www.microsemi.com.

The Microsemi Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1233

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth in this news release that are not entirely historical and factual in nature are forward-looking statements, including without limitation that the agreement reached will facilitate further proliferation of PoE technology or that PoE technology is expanding with a range of emerging applications. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence, potential cost increases, variations in customer order preferences, weakness or competitive pricing environment of the marketplace, uncertain demand for and acceptance of the company's products, adverse circumstances in any of our end markets, results of in-process or planned development or marketing and promotional campaigns, difficulties foreseeing future demand, potential non-realization of expected orders or non-realization of backlog, product returns, product liability, and other potential unexpected business and economic conditions or adverse changes in current or expected industry conditions, difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights, inventory obsolescence and difficulties regarding customer qualification of products. In addition to these factors and any other factors mentioned elsewhere in this news release, the reader should refer as well to the factors, uncertainties or risks identified in the company's most recent Form 10-K and all subsequent Form 10-Q reports filed by Microsemi with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in Microsemi's future filings. The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and Microsemi does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.



            

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