UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report: (Date of earliest event reported): October 8, 2009
ION Geophysical Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
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1-12691
(Commission file number)
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22-2286646
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
2105 CityWest Blvd, Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77042-2839
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
(281) 933-3339
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On October 8, 2009, ION Geophysical Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release
announcing that on October 1, 2009, the jury returned a verdict in its favor in a lawsuit filed by
the Company against operating subsidiaries of battery manufacturer Greatbatch, Inc., including its
Electrochem division (collectively “Greatbatch”), in the 24th Judicial District Court
for the Parish of Jefferson in the State of Louisiana. A copy of the press release is attached as
Exhibit 99.1.
The Company filed the lawsuit, styled Input/Output, Inc. and I/O Marine Systems, Inc. v.
Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc., Wilson Greatbatch, Ltd. d/b/a Electrochem Lithium Batteries,
and WGL Intermediate Holdings, Inc., Civil Action No. 578-881, Division “A”, in 2002, alleging that
Greatbatch had fraudulently misappropriated the Company’s product designs and other trade secrets
related to the batteries and battery pack used in the Company’s DigiBIRD® marine towed
streamer vertical control device and used the Company’s confidential information to manufacture and
market competing batteries and battery packs. The jury found that Greatbatch committed fraud,
violated the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act and breached a trust and nondisclosure agreement
between Greatbatch and the Company, and awarded the Company $21,733,411.00 in damages. In addition
to the jury award, the Company will be entitled to recover its attorneys’ fees and costs related to
the case, along with prejudgment interest accruing from the date of filing of the lawsuit.
The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be
deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be
incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by
specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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(a) |
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Financial statements of businesses acquired. |
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Not applicable. |
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(b) |
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Pro forma financial information. |
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Not applicable. |
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(c) |
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Shell company transactions. |
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Not applicable. |
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(d) |
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Exhibits. |
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| Exhibit Number |
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Description |
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99.1
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Press Release dated October 8, 2009. |
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