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	09/08/2003 McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd. Secures $8 Million Settlement for One of World’s Largest Lighting Fixture Manufacturers
	Primary Competitor Agrees to Cease Sale of Infringing Product CHICAGO, IL – September 08, 2003 – McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd., one of the nation’s preeminent law firms specializing in intellectual property and complex technology law, announced the settlement of a patent infringement suit brought by client Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC against Acuity Brands, Inc. Genlyte Thomas and Acuity Brands are two of the world’s largest lighting fixture manufacturers. Acuity Brands agreed to pay Genlyte Thomas $8 million in damages and cease selling their infringing plastic recessed lighting product as of the end of 2003. This settlement follows a U.S. District Court ruling that Acuity Brands’ plastic Insta-Lite products (sold by its Lithonia Lighting division) infringed Genlyte Thomas’ Quicklight plastic recessed lighting fixture patent (developed by its Capri Lighting division). The District Court also granted several other motions for partial summary judgments in favor of Genlyte, dismissing numerous Acuity Brands defenses and counterclaims and finding that Genlyte’s patent was not anticipated, indefinite or unenforceable. “The McAndrews, Held & Malloy litigation team performed flawlessly on all fronts for our company and was instrumental in suppressing a defensive suit brought by the opposing side in another forum that involved multiple patents,” said Dan Fuller, Vice President and General Counsel of Genlyte Thomas Group. “Genlyte has more than 500 active patents worldwide and we expect our competitors to respect our patents just as we respect theirs. McAndrews, Held & Malloy helped our company accomplish this goal.” George McAndrews, founding partner at McAndrews, Held & Malloy and lead counsel for the Genlyte Thomas team, said the settlement has enormous implications for Genlyte Thomas, because they are now rightfully recognized as having the only all-plastic, recessed frame lighting product for the residential construction market. He also noted that the case is an excellent example of how the patent system is designed to protect intellectual property holders. “Clients like Genlyte, who aggressively protect their investments in intellectual property, serve their inventors, their employees and their shareholders in an admirable manner,” said McAndrews. “I am extremely proud of my litigation team of James R. Nuttall, Gerald C. Willis, John L. Abramic, Dennis P. Hackett and Heather A. Bjella, who handled the case for Genlyte Thomas with both efficiency and effectiveness.” Acuity Brands was represented by Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott attorneys Peter B. Bensinger, Jr., Steven E. Derringer and Steven J. Nachtwey. About The Genlyte Group Inc. The Genlyte Group Incorporated (Nasdaq: GLYT) holds a 68% interest in Genlyte Thomas Group LLC, which is a leading manufacturer of lighting fixtures and controls for the commercial, industrial and residential markets. Genlyte Thomas sells products under the major brand names of Capri, Chloride Systems, Crescent, Day-Brite, Gardco, Hadco, Ledalite, Lightolier, Lightolier Controls, Lumec, Shakespeare Composite Structures, Stonco, Thomas, Vari-Lite, and Wide- Lite in the United States and Canlyte and Thomas in Canada. About McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd. Founded in 1988, McAndrews, Held & Malloy is one of the nation’s preeminent legal resources on intellectual property, antitrust and complex technology matters, serving institutions ranging from major multinationals and start-ups to world-class colleges and universities. Our technically trained attorneys have built an unparalleled record of litigation successes in jury trials, bench trials and ADR proceedings In addition, McAndrews, Held & Malloy offers its clients services in the following areas: patent and trademark procurement and portfolio management, patent interferences, trademark oppositions and cancellations, international practice, intellectual property/technology opinions and investigations, due diligence and M&A support, technology licensing and joint ventures, and technology transfers and donations. Additional information can be found at http://www.mcandrews-ip.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Jeremy J. Ahto Healy Communications 312/440-3900 ja@healyco.com