Western Digital announced that it was ordered to pay $525 million in an arbitration case brought against the company by Seagate Technology.
For more information visit: www.westerndigital.com
Unedited press release follows:
WD Reports Arbitration Decision
Company will Challenge the Award
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 21, 2011 — Western Digital Corp. (NYSE: WDC) today reported that on November 18, 2011, an arbitration award of $525 million was rendered against the company by a sole arbitrator in a pending confidential arbitration action in Minnesota. The amount of the award does not include prejudgment interest, which will be subsequently determined. The award involves claims brought by Seagate Technology LLC against WD and one employee who was formerly employed by Seagate, alleging misappropriation of confidential information and trade secrets.
“We do not believe there is any basis in law or fact for the damage award of the arbitrator,” said John Coyne, president and chief executive officer. “We believe the company acted properly at all times and we will vigorously challenge the award. This does not affect our ability to conduct our operations, to complete the recovery and recommencement of our Thailand operations or, subject to obtaining the required regulatory approvals, to consummate our planned acquisition of Hitachi GST.”
About WD
WD, one of the storage industry’s pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss. Its advanced technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, as well as its own consumer storage and home entertainment products.
WD was founded in 1970. The company’s storage products are marketed to leading OEMs, systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital® and WD® brand names. Visit the Investor section of the company’s website (www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.