Astronics Corporation Announces Damages Ruling on Lufthansa Technik Intellectual Property Case in United Kingdom
Astronics (Nasdaq: ATRO) has received a judgment in its patent infringement dispute with Lufthansa Technik AG in the United Kingdom. The court ruling requires Astronics to pay approximately $11.9 million in damages for patent infringement.
Additional amounts related to peripheral factors will be determined at a consequential hearing scheduled for March 2025. The company anticipates making the final payment in the second quarter of 2025, with any potential appeal likely to be heard in early 2026.
Astronics (Nasdaq: ATRO) ha ricevuto una sentenza nella sua controversia per violazione di brevetto con Lufthansa Technik AG nel Regno Unito. La sentenza del tribunale obbliga Astronics a pagare circa 11,9 milioni di dollari in danni per violazione di brevetto.
Importi aggiuntivi relativi a fattori periferici saranno determinati in un'udienza successiva programmata per marzo 2025. L'azienda prevede di effettuare il pagamento finale nel secondo trimestre del 2025, con eventuali appelli che potrebbero essere trattati all'inizio del 2026.
Astronics (Nasdaq: ATRO) ha recibido un fallo en su disputa por infracción de patente con Lufthansa Technik AG en el Reino Unido. La decisión del tribunal requiere que Astronics pague aproximadamente 11,9 millones de dólares en daños por infracción de patente.
Las cantidades adicionales relacionadas con factores periféricos se determinarán en una audiencia posterior programada para marzo de 2025. La empresa anticipa realizar el pago final en el segundo trimestre de 2025, con cualquier posible apelación que probablemente se escuche a principios de 2026.
Astronics (Nasdaq: ATRO)는 영국에서 Lufthansa Technik AG와의 특허 침해 분쟁에서 판결을 받았습니다. 법원 판결에 따라 Astronics는 특허 침해로 약 1,190만 달러의 손해 배상금을 지급해야 합니다.
부수적인 요인과 관련된 추가 금액은 2025년 3월에 예정된 후속 청문회에서 결정될 것입니다. 회사는 2025년 2분기에 최종 지급을 할 것으로 예상하며, 잠재적인 항소는 2026년 초에 심리될 가능성이 높습니다.
Astronics (Nasdaq: ATRO) a reçu un jugement dans son litige pour violation de brevet avec Lufthansa Technik AG au Royaume-Uni. Le jugement du tribunal oblige Astronics à payer environ 11,9 millions de dollars en dommages-intérêts pour violation de brevet.
Des montants supplémentaires liés à des facteurs périphériques seront déterminés lors d'une audience subséquente prévue pour mars 2025. L'entreprise prévoit d'effectuer le paiement final au deuxième trimestre de 2025, avec tout appel potentiel qui devrait être entendu début 2026.
Astronics (Nasdaq: ATRO) hat ein Urteil in seinem Patentverletzungsstreit mit Lufthansa Technik AG im Vereinigten Königreich erhalten. Das Gerichtsurteil verpflichtet Astronics zur Zahlung von etwa 11,9 Millionen Dollar Schadensersatz wegen Patentverletzung.
Zusätzliche Beträge, die mit peripheren Faktoren zusammenhängen, werden in einer Folgeverhandlung, die für März 2025 angesetzt ist, festgelegt. Das Unternehmen rechnet damit, die letzte Zahlung im zweiten Quartal 2025 zu leisten, wobei eine mögliche Berufung voraussichtlich Anfang 2026 verhandelt wird.
- None.
- Required to pay $11.9 million in damages for patent infringement
- Potential additional costs pending March 2025 hearing
- Legal dispute outcome unfavorable to company's financial position
Insights
The $11.9 million damages ruling against Astronics represents approximately 1.8% of the company's current market capitalization, a material financial impact that warrants investor attention. The ruling extends beyond immediate monetary consequences, potentially affecting Astronics' competitive position in the aircraft electrical power systems market.
The timing of the payment requirement in Q2 2025 introduces near-term liquidity considerations. While the company has time to prepare for the outlay, the upcoming March 2025 consequential hearing could increase the total liability. This creates an overhang of uncertainty that may impact strategic planning and capital allocation decisions.
The patent infringement ruling could have broader implications for Astronics' intellectual property strategy and product development. As a technology provider in the aerospace sector, where IP protection is important for maintaining competitive advantages, this outcome may necessitate more rigorous IP clearance processes and potentially increase legal compliance costs for future innovations.
The possibility of an appeal in early 2026 adds another layer of complexity. While an appeal could potentially reduce the damages, it would extend the timeline of uncertainty and incur additional legal expenses. Moreover, this legal setback could influence negotiations with other industry partners and potentially impact future contract terms with major aerospace customers.
The ruling requires Astronics to pay approximately
Astronics expects that payment of the final liability will be required in the second quarter of 2025, and that an appeal, if any, would likely be heard in early 2026.
ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION
Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world’s aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For over 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, militaries, completion centers and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics. The Company’s strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities that provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets.
For more information on Astronics and its solutions, visit Astronics.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expressions and include all statements with regard to the timing for the occurrence of the pending consequential hearing, the timing for the payment by Astronics of the final liability with respect to the infringement dispute with Lufthansa Technik AG, and the timing as to when any further appeal, if any, will occur. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what may be stated here include the trend in growth with passenger power and connectivity on airplanes, the state of the aerospace and defense industries, the market acceptance of newly developed products, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer certification processes and delivery schedules, the demand for and market acceptance of new or existing aircraft which contain the Company’s products, the need for new and advanced test and simulation equipment, customer preferences and relationships, and other factors which are described in filings by Astronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this news release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or prospects, or otherwise.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250220430297/en/
Company
Nancy L. Hedges, CFO
Astronics Corporation
T: 716.805.1599
Investors
Deborah K. Pawlowski
Alliance Advisors LLC
T: 716.843.3908
dpawlowski@allianceadvisors.com
Source: Astronics Corporation
FAQ
How much will Astronics (ATRO) pay in damages for the Lufthansa Technik patent case?
When will Astronics (ATRO) make the patent infringement damage payment?
When is the consequential hearing for additional damages in the ATRO-Lufthansa case?
When could an appeal be heard in the ATRO-Lufthansa patent case?
