Space Commerce

ViaSat Litigation Update

By Marc Boucher
Press Release
April 25, 2014
Filed under ,

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA” or the “Company”) (TSX:MDA), a global communications and information company, announced today that a jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California has returned a verdict in the action of ViaSat Communications, Inc. against MDA’s subsidiary Space Systems/Loral, LLC (“SSL”) involving claims of patent infringement and breach of contract.
The jury found that SSL infringed ViaSat patents and breached certain non-disclosure obligations to ViaSat. The jury awarded US$283 million in damages for patent infringement and for breach of contract.

SSL will seek to overturn the verdict in post-trial motions it will file with the District Court, and if necessary, through the appeal process.

The ViaSat patents involved in this action may have some applicability to a limited number of satellite projects that are currently in SSL’s factory and in its current pipeline of identified bid opportunities.

Under the purchase and sale agreement under which MDA purchased SSL from Loral Space and Communications Inc., MDA is indemnified for certain of the costs and damages, if upheld, under this action.

About MDA

MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.

MDA’s business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.

MDA’s well-established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 11 offices located in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

The Company’s common shares trade under the symbol TSX:MDA.

Related Websites
www.mdacorporation.com

SpaceRef co-founder, entrepreneur, writer, podcaster, nature lover and deep thinker.