Livermore-based FormFactor Inc. lost its U.S. trade case accusing Micronics Japan Co. and Phicom Corp. of infringing patents for devices that examine computer chips to make sure they work. The U.S. International Trade Commission says FormFactor's patent rights weren't violated. FormFactor makes equipment to test semiconductor circuits while they are still on silicon wafers. FormFactor in its complaint had sought to block imports of competing devices made by Japan-based Micronics and South Korea-based Phicom, now named TSC Memsys. A lawsuit filed by FormFactor making similar patent-infringement allegations had been put on hold pending the completion of the ITC investigation. FormFactor shares rose 24 cents to $17.57.

IPO

Sunnyvale-based Fortinet, which sells security applications that integrate firewall protection, anti-virus software and related programs, on Tuesday will become the first Silicon Valley startup to hold an IPO since Cupertino-based computer-security software developer ArcSight Inc. raised $62 million in February 2008, Bloomberg data show. Fortinet and its stockholders will seek to sell 12 million shares at between $9 and $11 each, according to a Nov. 2 filing.

Earnings

Santa Clara-based Agilent Technologies Inc., the world's biggest maker of scientific-testing equipment, reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat some analysts' estimates and

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signaled a slump in sales may be over. Adjusted profit was 32 cents a share, the company said Fruiday. That beat the 24-cent average estimate of analysts in a Bloomberg survey. Agilent, which announced plans to cut 2,700 jobs in March, said it intends to restore full pay for its employees this month.

Emeryville-based Lyris Inc. lost $797,000, or 1 cent a share, on revenues of $10.8 million. The loss was smaller than the year-ago loss of $1.1 million. Sales for the online marketing firm fell 1.8 percent.

Richmond-based Transcept Pharmaceuticals Inc. lost $3.8 million, or 39 cents a share, during its third quarter of fiscal 2009 ended Sept. 30. That compared with a year-ago loss of $4.3 million, or $10.08 a share. Revenues totaled $2.1 million, compared with year-ago revenue of zero dollars. Bolstered by $93 million in cash, Transcept is moving ahead with efforts to commercialize Intermezzo, a medicine to help patients get back to sleep after they wake up in the middle of the night.

Compiled from staff and wire reports. Got Bay Area business news? Reach Drew Voros at 925-943-8099 or dvoros@bayareanewsgroup.com.