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Covidien Succeeds in Patent Actions against Five Companies

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^{Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, December 6th 2010 at 3:21 GMT by Market Wire}  

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that a German court awarded the Company preliminary injunctions against J.ZH.FA. Panther Healthcare Medical Equipment Co. Ltd., WuXi Shenkang Medical Instrument Equipment Co. Ltd. and three other medical device companies that are accused of copying the design of Covidiena™s surgical stapling products and infringing a Covidien patent. Four of the medical device companies are based in China and one is based in the United Kingdom. In parallel procedures, German customs authorities have also seized accused infringing surgical stapling products from each of the five companies.

"We are pleased that the German court and customs authorities have found that certain stapling products from these five companies should be removed from the German marketplace because of infringement of Covidiena™s patent. We will continue to vigorously protect our innovations and intellectual property"

aWe are pleased that the German court and customs authorities have found that certain stapling products from these five companies should be removed from the German marketplace because of infringement of Covidiena™s patent. We will continue to vigorously protect our innovations and intellectual property,a said Scott Herring, President, EMEA Surgical Devices, Covidien.

ABOUT COVIDIEN

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2010 revenue of $10.4 billion, Covidien has approximately 42,000 employees worldwide in more than 60 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit [ www.covidien.com ] to learn more about our business.