Vector Products, Inc. Causes Schumacher Electric to Stop Selling Certain High- Frequency Battery Chargers in Settlement of Patent Infringement Suit

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Vector Products, Inc.
 announces the settlement of a patent infringement lawsuit it brought against
 Schumacher Electric Corporation.
     As part of the settlement, Schumacher Electric has agreed to cease selling
 high-frequency battery charger products with an engine start or alternator
 test feature, which Vector claimed infringed its patent.  Schumacher has also
 agreed to pay Vector patent damages in an amount to be determined in
 arbitration before the end of the year.
     "Vector vigorously defends its intellectual property rights and this
 settlement achieves the results Vector sought in filing the lawsuit against
 Schumacher.  Vector will continue to protect and maintain its patent
 exclusivity to manufacture and sell its innovative line of high-frequency
 battery charger models with engine start and alternator test features over the
 next several years," stated Michael Krieger, Vector's President and CEO.
     The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent No. 6,822,425
 to Vector on November 23, 2004.  Vector, represented by Kirkland & Ellis LLP
 and Venable LLP, filed the patent infringement suit against Schumacher that
 same day in a Federal District Court in Florida.  The settlement followed
 Vector's win in court on all of the disputed claim construction terms that
 define the scope of Vector's patent.
     Vector's Smart Battery Charger series, which is comparably priced to
 traditional chargers, utilizes a "Pure DC Output" charging current that
 charges vehicle batteries in a safer, more efficient manner. Vector has
 revolutionized the battery charging industry by combining proven switch-mode
 (high-frequency) technology with microprocessor controls, battery diagnostics,
 and engine start capabilities.
     The Vector Smart Battery Charger Series features models with charging
 capacities ranging from two to 50 amps, weighing up to three times less than
 traditional chargers.  This series is UL-listed, demonstrating that it has
 undergone rigorous safety and performance testing.
     Vector's Smart Battery Chargers eliminate the guesswork out of charging by
 using a built-in digital display and diagnostic features such as battery fault
 codes (which indicate an internal shorted cell, bad connection, internal open
 cell and overtime/overheated conditions) and an alternator voltage check
 (which determines if the alternator voltage output is within typical range).
     Smart Battery Chargers also include consumer safety features, such as
 spark-resistant reverse polarity hook up, short circuit and overcharging
 protection.  All are backed by a 5-Year Limited Warranty and deliver the
 quality, innovation and affordability that today's consumer demands.
 
     Vector Products, Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is one of the
 leading developers of innovative automotive aftermarket and consumer-friendly
 portable power products. With more than 150 products in the line, Vector
 specializes in battery chargers, portable vehicle jump starters, rechargeable
 spotlights and flashlights, thermoelectric coolers and portable refrigerators,
 car care electric appliances, DC to AC power inverters, TV/radio lanterns with
 all-hazard weather alert, and consumer electronics items. Visit
 www.vectormfg.com for more information.
 
 

SOURCE  Vector Products, Inc.