Patent For Battery Charging Methodology Issued To O2Micro

GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman, Aug. 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O ₂Micro ^® International Limited (Nasdaq:OIIM), a global leader in the design, development and marketing of high-performance integrated circuits and solutions, today announced that it was issued 20 claims under United States patent number 8,222,869 for its Battery Pre-Charging System and Method.

O ₂Micro's patented system enables high efficiency charging when the battery voltage is lower than normal charging voltage. In addition, the patent eliminates the need for extra components.

Bill Densham, strategic marketing director, O ₂Micro, commented, "O ₂Micro's methodology is cost-effective, efficient and reduces power dissipation, compared to conventional designs."

About O ₂Micro

Founded in April 1995, O ₂Micro develops and markets innovative power management and e-commerce components for the Computer, Consumer, Industrial, and Communications markets. Products include Intelligent Lighting, Battery Management, and Power Management.

O ₂Micro International maintains an extensive portfolio of intellectual property with 20,690 patent claims granted, and over 21,000 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

O ₂Micro, the O ₂Micro logo, and combinations thereof are registered trademarks of O ₂Micro. 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 O ₂Micro'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 O ₂Micro's products due to adverse economic conditions in general or specifically affecting O ₂Micro'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: Scott L. Anderson
         Director of Investor Relations, O2Micro
         Phone: [phone], x8888
         Email: [e-mail]