8-KOther Events

CIENA CORP 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Feb 1, 2008)

Filed February 1, 2008For Securities:CIEN

Summary

Ciena Corporation (CIEN) has announced the settlement of a patent-related litigation with Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company (formerly Litton Systems, Inc.). This settlement, effective January 31, 2008, resolves all claims related to the lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Ciena has made a one-time payment of $7.7 million to finalize this matter. The financial impact of this settlement will be recognized in Ciena's first quarter of fiscal year 2008. While this represents a one-time expense, investors should note that the company has successfully concluded this legal dispute, removing a potential ongoing financial and operational uncertainty. The details of the original litigation were previously disclosed in Ciena's Form 10-K filing dated December 27, 2007.

Key Highlights

  • 1Ciena Corporation settled a patent litigation with Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company.
  • 2The settlement agreement was entered into on January 31, 2008.
  • 3A one-time payment of $7.7 million was made to fully satisfy all claims.
  • 4This payment will be recorded in Ciena's first quarter of fiscal year 2008.
  • 5The litigation was pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
  • 6The settlement resolves all outstanding claims in the lawsuit.
  • 7Prior litigation details were available in Ciena's Form 10-K filed on December 27, 2007.

Frequently Asked Questions

This 8-K filing is to report the settlement of a patent-related litigation between Ciena Corporation and Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company.

Ciena made a one-time payment of $7.7 million to Northrop Grumman to settle all claims in the lawsuit.

The $7.7 million payment will be recorded in Ciena's first quarter of fiscal year 2008.

The litigation was patent-related and was pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Further details were previously provided in Ciena's Form 10-K filing from December 27, 2007.