Lightwave Technologies Sues Corning Glass Works

Lightwave Technologies, a Van Nuys-based fiber optics firm, is suing Corning Glass Works for more than $200 million, accusing the Corning, N.Y.-based giant of violating antitrust laws and hurting its efforts to develop and sell its products.

Lightwave’s suit, filed in federal court in New York, contends that Corning unjustifiably threatened it with patent infringement lawsuits over its fiber optics technology. Lightwave maintains that the threat prompted its customers and suppliers to terminate contracts with the company.

The company also maintains that Corning’s patent infringement accusation thwarted Lightwave’s efforts to raise money through a sale of stock to the public in 1984. Lightwave has $2.25 million in annual sales, according to the lawsuit.