GigOptix sues ex-employees, Optomai for alleged agreement breaches

High-speed component vendor GigOptix, Inc. (OTCBB:GGOX) said yesterday it has sued Optomai, Inc. and the five former GigOptix employees who founded it for alleged breaches of confidentiality agreements. Today, M/A-Com Technology Solutions announced it has purchased Optomai – and apparently some trouble as well.

The GigOptix suit, filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, asserts that the ex-employees retained and misused confidential and proprietary GigOptix information to launch Optamai in 2009. The company is now selling products that directly compete with those of GigOptix, the suit charges. GigOptix further alleges that Optomai used GigOptix technology and intellectual property to develop those products in violation of California law. [UPDATE: GigOptix subsequently expanded the suit to include M/A-Com Tech; see "All sales final?")

GigOptix is seeking damages and injunctive relief.

In announcing its acquisition of Optomai, M/A-Com described the firm as “a fabless semiconductor company that develops high performance integrated circuits and modules for next generation 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps fiber optic networks.” M/A-Com says Optomai brings with it 40-Gbps and 100-Gbps modulator drivers and transimpedance amplifiers for both line-side and client-side applications – products that GigOptix produces as well.

According to GigOptix's Chairman of the Board and CEO Dr. Avi Katz, "GigOptix is committed to zealously protecting its intellectual property. We will take every step necessary to protect the technology we have developed and to ensure that our rights, the value we have created for our shareholders and business success are not compromised."

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