MIGDAL HAEMEK, ISRAEL -- Rival AOI makers Camtek and Orbotech have agreed to end a trio of suits and countersuits in Israeli courts.

The two printed circuit board inspection equipment firms will ask courts in Jerusalem, Nazareth and Tel Aviv to approve the dismissals. Each company, plus certain other parties, will bear their own costs in connection with the lawsuits.

The companies have been fighting legal battles for years over various AOI patent claims. Orbotech filed suit in May 2004, alleging that Camtek's Dragon and Falcon systems infringe upon an Orbotech patent. Camtek countersued in 2005.

Camtek CEO Roy Porat said in a statement, "I am pleased that we have finally laid to rest the pending legal law suits between us and Orbotech, which now removes a distraction for management and eliminates related costs. "

Another AOI OEM, Rudolph Technologies, also claims Camtek's Falcon and Gannet machines infringe a Rudolph patent. Rudolph previously won a judgment against Camtek over yet another patent claim.