Message: Spansion Files Two Patent Infringement Lawsuits Against Samsung, Related To Flas
Spansion Files Two Patent Infringement Lawsuits Against Samsung, Related To Flash Memory Technology |
| 11/17/2008 6:8 PM ET |
| Monday, Flash memory solutions provider Spansion Inc. (SPSN) reported that it is filing two separate patent infringement lawsuits against Samsung with the International Trade Commission and in the U.S. District Court in Delaware, claiming that Samsung infringed flash memory technology. The Sunnyvale, California-based Spansion's patent infringement complaint is said to be one of the largest patent infringement claims ever filed, through which the company seeks to exclude over one hundred million mp3 players, cell phones, digital cameras and other consumer electronic devices containing Samsung's infringing flash memory components, from the U.S. market. Flash memory, which retains data in devices when the power is turned off, is found in virtually all electronic devices and is one of the largest segments of the semiconductor industry, with nearly $130 billion in total revenues since 2000. Commenting on the lawsuit filings, Boaz Eitan, executive vice president, Spansion, chief executive officer of Saifun said, "Samsung's infringement of our intellectual property not only harms Spansion, but it threatens the foundation of technology innovation." The Spansion patents are fundamental to floating gate technology, and are the base for about 90% of the Flash memory market. Spansion is also leading the industry with MirrorBit, a charge-trapping technology, which represents a growing share of the Flash memory market and is expected to replace floating gate technology in the future. Flash memory companies including Samsung have announced their plans for transition to charge-trapping type technologies for their future generation products. Spansion's executive vice president and General Counsel, Robert Melendres said, "Spansion has patents that are fundamental to Flash memory. Samsung itself has cited these patents many times in its own patent filings, underscoring industry acceptance of the fundamental nature of Spansion's IP." "Spansion will vigorously protect its intellectual property and is entitled to be compensated by Samsung for its use of our IP," he added. Earlier this year, Spansion signed an agreement with Rambus Inc. (RMBS), a manufacturer and licensor of chip interface technologies, for DDR engineering services and a memorandum of understanding for future development of MirrorBit Flash memory solutions. Furthermore, with the acquisition of Saifun Semiconductor, Spansion expanded its IP portfolio, which was considered by the company as a key milestone in its strategy to create a major licensing business, and generate new streams of significant revenue with very high margins. The company also said that it is in a strong position as the technology provider at the core of the future Flash memory market, the industry moves to charge-trapping technologies. Although Samsung is the target of the litigations, Spansion is required to name the manufacturers of downstream products containing Samsung's infringing devices in its ITC complaint, including Apple, Asus, Kingston, Lenovo, PNY, RIM, Sony, Sony-Ericsson, Transcend. SPSN closed Monday's regular trading session at $0.50, up $0.16 or 47.06% on volumes of 1.25 million shares. Further the stock gained 20 cents or 40% in the after-hour trade. The stock has been trading in the range of $0.26 - $5.78 for the past 52 weeks. |
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