Patent For EEFL Protection System Granted To O2Micro

GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, March 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O2Micro ^® International Limited (Nasdaq:OIIM) was issued 20 claims under United States patent number 7,888,889 for its External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL) System Protection architecture; a continuation of the invention issued June 2009 under United States patent number 7,554,273.

The patented EEFL protection circuitry protects large panel backlight systems during normal operation if any lamp is damaged or disconnected. Large panel applications include LCD Monitors and TVs.

"O2Micro's system protection architecture provides the most effective safety solution for the LCD panel market," said Dr. Yung Lin, executive vice president, O2Micro.

About O2Micro

Founded in April 1995, O2Micro develops and markets innovative power management and e-commerce components for the Computer, Consumer, Industrial, and Communications markets. Products include Intelligent Lighting, Battery Management, Power Management, and SmartCardBus ^®.

O2Micro International maintains an extensive portfolio of intellectual property with 15,621 patent claims granted, and over 16,000 more pending. The company maintains offices worldwide. Additional company and product information can be found on the company website at www.o2micro.com .

The O2Micro International Limited logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6567

O2Micro, the O2Micro logo, SmartCardBus, and combinations thereof are registered trademarks of O2Micro. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Statements made in this release that are not historical, including statements regarding O2Micro's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties such as reduced demand for products of electronic equipment manufacturers which include O2Micro's products due to adverse economic conditions in general or specifically affecting O2Micro's markets, technical difficulties and delays in the developments process, and errors in the products. You are also referred to the Form F-1 in connection with the company's initial public offering in August 2000, Form F-3 in connection with the company's public offering in November 2001, and the annual reports on Form 20-F, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: Gary E. Abbott
         Director of Investor Relations, O2Micro
         Phone: [phone], x8888
         Email: [e-mail]