Tessera Technologies

DRAM ITC Action

On Oct. 30, 2009, the International Trade Commission (ITC) announced that it will review portions of the Initial Determination by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in the ITC action brought by Tessera against certain DRAM manufacturers and sellers. The Commission will review, among other things, whether the respondents infringed the Tessera patents asserted in the action. The Commission's Final Determination is scheduled to be issued by Dec. 29, 2009. The action is Investigation No. 337-TA-630 (DRAM ITC action).

"We are encouraged that the Commission has granted review of the Initial Determination," said Henry R. Nothhaft, president and CEO of Tessera. "We believe in the value of our technology and intellectual property, and will continue our efforts to prevent unlawful activities by unlicensed companies."

The DRAM ITC action originated in December, 2007, when Tessera took legal action against Acer, Inc., Centon Electronics, Inc., Elpida Memory, Inc., Kingston Technology Co., Inc., Nanya Technology Corporation, Powerchip Semiconductor Corp., ProMOS Technologies Inc., Ramaxel Technology Ltd., Smart Modular Technologies, Inc., and TwinMOS Technologies, Inc. alleging patent infringement.

Amkor Arbitration

Tessera expects to file its Answer and Counter Complaint today in the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration proceedings it has with Amkor, Inc. Amkor filed for arbitration with Tessera on Aug. 7, 2009.

"Those who follow the company will recall that earlier this year the ICC awarded Tessera over $64 million to remedy Amkor's past violations of its license agreement with Tessera," continued Nothhaft. "We are disappointed that Amkor's actions have led us back into arbitration so recently after the ICC ruled in Tessera's favor. Deliberately and repeatedly, Amkor has refused to pay royalties it owes for its use of multiple Tessera patents, and refused to honor its audit obligations under our agreement. As a result of its actions, Amkor is no longer a licensee in good standing, and in particular Amkor's customers do not have the benefit of a license for any products on which full payment has not been made."

FROM MOTLEY FOOL

Tessera Technologies
Chipmaker >geared for growth as the International Trade Commission (ITC) reviews whether DRAM chipmakers have infringed on its patents, with a ruling expected by year's end. Qualcomm (Nasdaq: (Nasdaq: , already pay Tessera royalties.http://caps.fool.com/Ticker/INTC.aspx">INTC)