• On Monday August 24, 2009, 6:11 pm EDT

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• Companies: Apple Inc.Dell Inc.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into certain types of flash memory chips that a Pennsylvania company claims violates its patents.

The commission said Monday that its investigation into so-called "multilevel cell" NAND flash memory chips involves products incorporated into laptops, cell phones and MP3 players imported into the United States.

A company called BTG International of West Conshohocken, Penn., claims the chips violate its patents, according to the trade commission, a federal agency that investigates claims of injury to U.S. companies in import-related matters.

BTG filed a complaint on July 27.

The commission identified Samsung Electronics Co. -- the world's second-biggest semiconductor company -- along with Apple Inc., AsusTek Computer Inc., Dell Inc., Lenovo Group, PNY Technologies Inc., Research In Motion Ltd., Sony Corp. and Transcent Information Inc. as companies that have been asked for information as part of the probe.