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WILEY X EYEWEAR® ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION OF PATENT INFRINGEMENT LITIGATION AGAINST PANOPTX®, INC.
Panoptx Admits Infringement and Agrees to Stop Selling Accused Products
Livermore, Calif. — Wiley X Eyewear®, the industry leader in the research and development of protective
eyewear, won a major court battle against Panoptx®, Inc. for infringing upon Wiley X’s U.S. Patent No. 6,062,688
(the “'688 Patent”). Under the settlement, Panoptx will have to stop selling its Velocity CV and Warrior products to
the military by the end of the year, and to all other market segments by the end of 2008. Panoptx will also be
required to pay Wiley X royalties on all 2008 sales of these products.
This is a major settlement for Wiley X, whose cutting-edge technology provides critical eye protection for the FBI,
DEA, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and other elite Special Forces Units. “While we would have preferred not to
have to litigate, we are very pleased that our patent rights have been vindicated, and that infringing products will
be off the market as a result of this settlement,” said Dan Freeman, Vice-President of Wiley X Eyewear. “We
upheld a principle, and will not hesitate to do so again if our patent rights are not respected in the future.”
Wiley X Eyewear began litigation in 2005 to enforce its rights under the '688 Patent, which covers unique aspects
of Wiley X’s Climate Control Series. The '688 Patent's technology allows the wearer the benefits of having a
removable, air permeable shield, which provides eye protection while preventing fogging.
With 20 years of innovation in providing advanced eyewear solutions to the military and commercial markets,
Wiley X is looking forward to continue its tradition of providing customers with top quality eyewear. The
company’s High Velocity Protection (HVP™) eyewear is manufactured with shatterproof, distortion-free Selenite™
polycarbonate lenses, meeting ANSIZ87.1-2003 high-velocity impact standards, in 14 lens tints to provide eye
comfort and protection in any environment. These lenses are matched with a variety of high-performance, virtually
unbreakable TR90 frames, available in a wide range of styles and attractive colors.
WILEY X EYEWEAR® COMES ON STRONG WITH WOOD BROTHERS/JTG RACING
Wiley X Expands its Support of NASCAR With Premier Racing Partnership
After years of protecting the eyes of America’s military, Wiley X Eyewear has successfully crossed over to
protecting the eyes of America’s leading racing teams. Pretty soon you won’t be able to watch NASCAR without
seeing Wiley X’s highly innovative eyewear, just as many premier teams can’t see themselves without the
company’s advanced eye protection. The perfect fit between the high velocity sport and Wiley X’s patented High
Velocity Protection (HVP™) has just been extended to another of NASCAR’s top racing teams as Wiley X has
signed to provide their industry leading eye protection for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing.
With top teams in the Nextel Cup, Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series, Wood Brothers/JTG Racing joins
the ranks of Wiley X’s other premier NASCAR team sponsorships of Roush Racing and Ginn Motorsports for the
2007 race season — along with key partnerships in IndyCar and NHRA. The combat-proven protection will now
help exclusively protect Wood Brothers/JTG Racing team members at all of their Nextel Cup, Busch Series and
Craftsman Truck Series events.
The Wood Brothers/JTG Racing organization includes five separate race teams — the Nextel Cup No. 21 Little
Debbie/Air Force/Motorcraft Ford; two Busch Series teams, the No. 47 Clorox Ford and the No. 59 Kingsford Ford;
and two Craftsman Truck Series teams, the No. 21 Ravenswood Winery/Bush’s Baked Beans Ford F-150 and the
No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford F-150. Drivers for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing include such top competitors as Bill Elliott,
Ken Schrader, Jon Wood, Marcos Ambrose, Kelly Bires, Mark Martin, Stacy Compton and Joey Clanton.
Wiley X has really exploded onto the racing scene by building its key sponsorships in honor of its 20th anniversary, to
include the company’s second primary sponsorship featured in this years Toyota/Save Mart 350. The benchmark of
quality eye protection for those in combat around the globe, the company’s shatterproof, distortion-free Selenite™
polycarbonate lenses, which offer full ultraviolet protection and far exceed ANSI Z87.1 safety and ANSIZ80.3 optical
standards, coupled with a variety of high-performance and nearly unbreakable TR90 frames, have found a new home in
the exciting world of NASCAR.
WILEY X EYEWEAR® WILL GET SOME HIGH VISIBILITY “SEAT TIME” BEFORE HOMETOWN CROWD
Wiley X Eyewear® will proudly display its colors as primary sponsor for Ginn Racing’s Number 14 Chevrolet in the
NEXTEL Cup’s only Northern California race, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on June 24th. Sporting the same sleek
black and red Wiley X paint scheme as in its first primary sponsorship at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway last
year, this time the company’s industry-leading, High Velocity Protection (HVP™) will be highlighted before a
hometown crowd near the company’s headquarters in Livermore, California.
“The folks at Ginn Racing have been so great to work with and we are so excited about this second opportunity to
race our Wiley X Chevy before such a large audience,” said Wiley X’s co-owner and Vice President of Sales
Myles Freeman. “The performance-driven team behind this excellent racing program is an ideal showcase for our
performance-driven eyewear.”
Wiley X’s combat-proven eyewear, which made the company a leading provider of tactical eye protection for the
FBI, DEA, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and other elite Special Forces Units, is a perfect crossover to the
demanding and dangerous race environment — protecting the eyes of many top racing teams in NASCAR,
IndyCar and NHRA. In its third year as an associate sponsor of the Ginn Racing owned U.S. Army Chevrolet, this
is the second time Wiley X has taken the lead in sponsoring the Army’s sister car driven by racing veteran and fan
favorite Sterling Marlin.
This primary sponsorship proudly displays the company’s continued growth and success in all aspects of the
tactical and commercial eyewear markets. With stylish new offerings in the optical, motorcycle, active sports and
outdoor markets, Wiley X continues to develop its highly advanced Selenite™ polycarbonate lens technology,
which has made the company’s eyewear a standard in eye protection the world over. As serious about racing as
they are about eyewear, Wiley X’s proud partnerships and dedication to some of the finest teams in motorsports
clearly demonstrate the company’s commitment to “take the pole” amongst other eyewear brands competing in
the garage and in the pits.
WILEY X EYEWEAR® ANNOUNCES SUNGLASS ENDORSEMENT WITH ROUSH RACING CREW AND DRIVERS GREG BIFFLE AND CARL EDWARDS
Livermore, Calif. (April 23, 2007) – Wiley X Eyewear® initially made a name for itself in answering the call for critical tactical eye protection for those serving in uniform around the globe. In the ensuing 20 years, the company has expanded their rugged and attractive designs into racing, motorcycling, fishing, boating and bicycling markets. That is why Wiley X is excited to announce another perfect fit for their high performance eyewear by teaming with premier drivers Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle and the Roush Racing team. This collaboration with the exhilarating world of NASCAR will propel Wiley X to new heights in safety and appeal by supplying high performance sunglasses to all of Roush Racing drivers, mechanics and crews in all three NASCAR series — Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck.
In honor of its 20th anniversary this year, Wiley X is ramping up its race sponsorships with two of NASCAR’s most impressive drivers. The 36-year-old Biffle, winner of Rookie of the Year and Championship honors in both NCTS and Busch Series, is well on his way to his third major NASCAR title as a part of the Nextel Cup. The younger Edwards has raced in two full schedule seasons in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series last year, finishing 12th overall in the Nextel Cup, with ten top five finishes, and 2nd in the Busch Series, where he is currently the points leader this season — including four wins and fifteen top five finishes. While Biffle’s laid-back personality is very different from Edward’s now famous victory car-door back-flips, both drivers’ high-energy and competitive attitude on the track are a perfect fit with Wiley X. The company’s High Velocity Protection (HVP™) eyewear is manufactured with shatterproof, distortion-free Selenite™ polycarbonate lenses that offer full ultraviolet protection and far exceed ANSI Z87.1 safety and ANSIZ80.3 optical standards. These lenses are matched with a variety of high-performance, unbreakable TR90 frames, available in a wide range of styles and attractive colors.
"I am totally pumped up to wear the Wiley X brand of eye protection and I'm starting to see them all over the place down here on pit road,” says Carl Edwards. “The products are comfortable and well made — and a company like this that supports the military the way they do is something I'm proud to be associated with.”
Biffle added, “Wiley X has a unique story surrounding the history of their products and I like the fact they're family owned. It can get chaotic and dangerous down here on pit road and I know our pit crews have a bit more peace of mind knowing they’re wearing the same shatterproof protection our troops use.”
“I can’t tell you how exciting it is to supply our tough brand of high velocity eye protection to one of motorsports’ premier organizations,” said Myles Freeman, Vice President of Sales at Wiley X Eyewear. “And by signing two Nextel cup fan favorites like Carl and Greg to Personal Services Agreements, we help to further solidify our brand amongst nearly 75 million brand loyal NASCAR fans — this is just another way we proudly support our dealer network nationwide.”
WILEY X EYEWEAR® OPENS NEW FULL SERVICE FACILITY IN DENMARK
New Office Will Serve as Company’s European Headquarters, Provide Stronghold for Future Sales Growth
Innovative American sunglass manufacturer Wiley X Eyewear® has announced the establishment of Wiley X Europe, LLC and the opening of a new, fullservice European facility located in Vemb, Denmark. This facility will service and maintain the business of existing and future European customers with a fully stocked inventory and highly trained staff.
The company’s new European headquarters, headed by Wiley X Europe President Mr. Jan Mikkelsen, was opened to meet growing demand for Wiley X’s high-performance protective eyewear. This international expansion will also prepare Wiley X Eyewear for strong sales growth throughout Europe in both civilian and military markets. “Our vision is to provide a more efficient and cost effective way to do business with our friends in the European Union,” says Myles J. Freeman, Vice President of Sales for Wiley X Eyewear. “As business continues to grow steadily in Europe, customers will be able to enjoy the Wiley X experience through full service dealers and distributors we’ve set up in Italy, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece, Cyprus and the Netherlands, just to name a few.”
“Our products have experienced an extremely good reception across Europe,” says Mikkelsen. “There has been tremendous interest, not only from law enforcement and military personnel, but from anyone who desires the best in eye protection and style.” As a company founded on credibility and protecting the precious gift of human sight, Mikkelsen believes the future for Wiley X in Europe is a bright one. “I can’t wait to see where we are only five years from now,” he remarks.
Wiley X Eyewear is a leading provider of protective eyewear for Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and other U.S. Special Forces Units in action around the globe. The company’s High Velocity Protection (HVP™) eyewear is manufactured with shatterproof, distortion-free Selenite™ polycarbonate lenses in 14 lens tints to provide eye comfort and protection in any environment. These lenses are matched with a variety of high-performance, unbreakable TR90 frames, available in a wide range of styles and attractive colors.
NEW NERVE™ FROM WILEY X EYEWEAR® WINS PRESTIGIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT INNOVATION AWARD
Wiley X Eyewear® recently received an Innovation Award presented by Cygnus Public Safety Group - made up of Law Enforcement Technology, Law Enforcement Product News, Officer.com and Enforcement Expo. The Livermore, California-based manufacturer of protective eyewear systems was among a group of companies singled out for their innovative products at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Meeting and Expo in Boston.
Wiley X received the prestigious award in the Uniforms and Body Armor Category for its new Nerve™ - a compact ballistic goggle that provides officers with superior eye protection and clear vision in the toughest situations and environments. The Nerve features state-of-the-art lens technology in a streamlined, easy-to-carry goggle-style frame that fits in a jacket pocket or attaches easily to a duty belt. The Nerve features Wiley X's proven Top-Down™ Ventilation System ensuring fog-free vision in all conditions.
The Wiley X Nerve is night-vision compatible and includes two sets of ballistic Selenite™ polycarbonate lenses (in Smoke and Clear). Wiley X's Spheric lens technology follows the curvature of the eye for optical clarity and a full, undistorted field of vision. Each lens is coated with T-Shell™, a scratch-resistant hard coat for serious protection, as well as the company's Foil™ anti-fog coating. These are just some of the high-tech features and rugged construction that have made Wiley X a leading provider of protective eyewear system for the FBI, DEA, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and other elite Special Forces Units.
Award judges considered nearly 200 product entries from 145 companies, selecting one winner in each of 16 categories. According to Law Enforcement Technology Editor Ronnie Garrett, the purpose of these awards is to recognize companies for creating innovative products designed to make officers more efficient, effective and safe. "We've always believed that a law enforcement officer's eyes are his most important equipment, and are worthy of the best protection modern technology can provide," said Wiley X Eyewear President Myles Freeman, Jr. "We're very proud of this recognition from the law enforcement community and will continue to innovate even better and stronger products for all those who put their lives on the line for our protection."
WILEY X ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF THE TAG-1 FOR THE U.S. MARINE CORPS BREACHER KIT
Livermore, Ca. (September 22, 2006) - The Wiley X Tactical Assault Glove (TAG-1) has been selected as the protective glove for the U.S. Marine Corps Breacher kit.
Wiley X has been supplying the United States finest fighting forces for over 19 years. We have worked closely with military and federal law enforcement agencies designing ballistic goggles, spectacles, and protective gloves for all types of operations conducted. Wiley X has devoted a specific department to the development and creation of new and innovative designs based on feedback from warfighters and officers in the field. HVP™ - High Velocity Protection, is the theory behind all Wiley X designs. Wiley X prides itself on designing protection that can be worn for multiple applications whether its general safety or close quarters combat.
Due to the ever changing combat environment and the needs of armed forces worldwide, Wiley X has developed the Tactical Assault Glove (TAG-1). The TAG-1 is the Cadillac of Protective Gauntlet Gloves. Using the same "protection first" philosophy that has made us so well known, we have stopped at no expense with this glove. Its main fabric is a Nomex / Kevlar bi-weave, which allows the glove to be both thermal resistant and cut resistant. Featuring a Thermal Plastic knuckle guard, this enables the user unparalleled knuckle protection and comfort that is second to none. The palm is made of Sheepskin leather with Armortan™, which allows maximum palm protection without compromise in finger and palm dexterity. There is extra leather reinforcement on the palm and thumb for increased durability in high wear areas. The TAG-1 has extended forearm protection that incorporates an elastic cuff which wraps around the wrist for a custom fit.
Depending on the job at hand, and level of hand protection needed, Wiley X has the solution, the TAG-1.
WILEY X EYEWEAR™ FULL-THROTTLE CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Industry Leader Gives Top Prizes of Cash, NASCAR Weekend and Dream Vacation
Wiley X Eyewear™, a leading manufacturer of tactical, sports and casual eyewear is proud to announce the winners of its recent Wiley X Eyewear Full Throttle Contest®. The contest, which ran from mid-March through mid-August, was a special opportunity for Wiley X to reward its loyal motorcycle dealers.
"We wanted to do something really big for our dealers this year," said Myles Freeman, vice president of sales and co-owner of Wiley X. "Sales in the motorcycle market have dramatically increased recently and we felt like we should show our appreciation in a way that reflects how thrilled we are to have them as part of our team."
Wiley X dealers were automatically entered in the contest when they purchased a "biker's dozen" (twelve pairs of glasses purchased from Wiley X). Hundreds of stores from across the country participated, with three winners randomly selected from the pool of contestants.
American Harley Davidson, located in Leominster, MA, took the grand prize of $20,000. "I didn't realize how well these sunglasses would sell," said owner Phil Damont. "Our customers are quality driven and they can't get enough of Wiley X, especially the light adjusting models. I had never spent more than twenty dollars on a pair of sunglasses before, but I can say that once you experience the quality of these glasses, you'll never want to buy a another pair." "We at American Harley-Davidson are true fans of Wiley X Eyewear. We began our relationship with our sales representative, Sherri Holder, about 7 years ago and have had nothing but positive results. Our customers favor the Wiley X glasses not only because of the protective benefits, but also because of the excellent warranty policy. It was surely an added bonus to win the grand prize for selling a product we truly believe in. Thank you so very much!"
The second place prize, a NASCAR dream weekend including two tickets to a NASCAR race, pit passes, airfare, hotel and VIP treatment, went to Freedom Cycle of Taylor, MI. They'll also have the opportunity to meet Joe Nemechek, a 17-year veteran and driver of the 01 car. "We've been very happy with how quickly Wiley X moves off the shelves. Wiley X is one of our best selling products in the entire store," said owner Chuch McGough. "Seeing NASCAR in person is the ultimate experience. Feeling the wind gust from the speeding cars and hearing the engines rip past you is amazing. I'm thankful they're giving something back to the dealers."
The third place prize of a cruise to either the Caribbean or Mexican Riviera went to Manchester Harley Davidson of Manchester, NH. "We've been buying from Wiley X for five years and they've always been a top seller," said office manager Jennifer Hodgman. "Our Wiley X glasses flew off the shelves this year."
The entire Wiley X team is proud and excited that all of their dealers went "full throttle" this year - and as always, Wiley X has new and exciting products in development, so be on the lookout for additional innovations from this industry leader.
Wiley X Eyewear to Appear on Alexander Haig's Health Journal Television
May 9, 2006 (Boca Raton, FL) --- Multi-Media Productions (USA), Inc. announces the appearance of Wiley X Eyewear on Health Journal Television, hosted by General Alexander Haig.
During wartime, it is vital that our soldiers be armed not only with weaponry, but also with protective gear. Careful thought is given to a soldier's vision and the necessary eye protection. Newer technology, that addresses the specific needs of our soldiers, is paving the way for advancements in battlefield eyewear.
With Wiley X Eyewear, our armed forces are able to don 'battle- ready' eyewear that may lead to reduced wartime eye injuries.
Myles Freeman, Vice President of Sales and Co-Owner of Wiley X Eyewear states, "It's true that Wiley X designs and creates some of the most functional eyewear for various commercial markets. And, it's no secret that our name and legacy will always be synonymous with the fine men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces. Not a day goes by where our R and D team is not working to improve or design something better for them. If a new item we've introduced to the military happens to cross over into another market we sell (which is often the case)...all the better! Either way, the bottom line is we take great pride in producing high velocity protection that works."
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