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Ovonic Battery Patent Issued in Japan

10 September 1997

Ovonic Battery Patent Issued in Japan

    TROY, Mich., Sept. 10 -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
(ECD) and its subsidiary, Ovonic Battery Company, Inc. (Ovonic
Battery) announced that the Japanese Patent Office, Tokyo, Japan, has
recognized and registered the important, basic Ovonic Battery patent for
nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH).  The patent is a counterpart to the
United States Patent No. 4,623,597 specifying the fundamentals that make NiMH
batteries commercially feasible.  Japan now joins 14 other industrial nations
which have recognized the patent.  In successfully obtaining the patent,
Ovonic Battery prevailed over the opposition of major Japanese and foreign
battery manufacturers.  In addition to the basic patent, there is a continuing
string of significant patents that assure Ovonic Battery continued leadership
in the NiMH battery field.
    Dates of particular interest in the historic patent registration process:

          Application Date:                       April 22, 1983
          Publication Date:                       December 18, 1992
          Registration Date:                      August 15, 1997
          Duration (20 years from application):   Until April 22, 2003
          Registration Number in Japan:           2131429

    Virtually all of Japan's NiMH battery manufacturers have patent agreements
with Ovonic Battery covering consumer NiMH batteries.  With the patent
recognition in Japan, these manufacturers must pay substantial amounts based
on sales for all NiMH batteries produced in Japan in the past, from the date
of publication, until April 22, 2003.  Ovonic Battery has started the process
of discussing this matter with its Japanese licensees.
    The Ovonic NiMH battery continues to gain global acceptance for
powering consumer electronic devices, hand-held portable power tools, electric
bicycles, scooters and vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and numerous other
applications.  Powerful, high energy, durable, long life, environmentally
friendly and recyclable, the Ovonic NiMH battery is becoming the battery of
choice for portable, dependable electric power.  This Fall, General Motors
(GM) has said it will introduce the GM Ovonic NiMH battery in the EV-1 and
S-10 electric vehicles.  GM Ovonic L.L.C. is the joint venture between GM and
Ovonic Battery formed to manufacture NiMH batteries for EVs.
    ECD is a leader in the synthesis of new materials and the development
of advanced production technology and innovative products.  ECD has
pioneered the development of products and production technology based on
amorphous, disordered and related materials, with an emphasis on alternative
energy and advanced information technologies.  ECD's web site is
 http://ovonic.com.

SOURCE  Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.