2013/2/12 - Patent Issued for Cell Balancing System to O2Micro

This system balances battery cells in a battery pack to keep the battery cells in a desired range of voltages using active components. Such active battery cell balancing achieves higher efficiency by transferring energy rather than the conventional energy dissipation method.

Bill Densham, strategic marketing director, O₂Micro, remarked "O₂Micro's patented system improves safety and reliability by reducing thermal energy dissipation in the battery pack compared to traditional cell balancing methods. Lower cell temperatures are critical to achieving higher safety."

About O₂Micro

Founded in April 1995, O₂Micro develops and markets innovative power management components for the Computer, Consumer, Industrial, Automotive and Communications markets. Products include LED General Lighting, Backlighting, Battery Management and Power Management.

O₂Micro International maintains an extensive portfolio of intellectual property with 22,390 patent claims granted, and over 24,000 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, 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: Scott L. Anderson
         Director of Investor Relations, O2Micro
         Phone: 408.987.5920, x8888
         Email: scott.anderson@o2micro.com