LOS ALTOS, Calif., Dec 14, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), one of the world's premier technology
licensing companies, today announced it has acquired technology and a
portfolio of advanced lighting and optoelectronics patents from Global
Lighting Technologies Inc. (GLT). These patented innovations, which
include MicroLens(TM) light distribution technology, broaden Rambus'
solutions for computing and consumer electronics. As part of this
agreement, Rambus will pay GLT $26 million.
In addition, it is expected that twelve people will join Rambus from GLT
including Jeff Parker, GLT's co-founder, former chief executive officer
and principal inventor. Most of those joining from GLT will form a new
Lighting Technology Division led by Mr. Parker. He and his engineering
team will continue the development of Rambus' newly acquired innovations
and provide complete lighting solutions for customers based on this
breakthrough technology. Also joining Rambus is Chris Pickett, formerly
GLT's president of the Licensing Division and general counsel, who will
serve as a senior licensing executive for the new Lighting Technology
Division.
A key application area for the acquired innovations is light emitting
diode (LED) backlighting of liquid crystal displays (LCD). LED
backlighting solutions are increasingly pervasive in LCD displays for
computers, mobile phones, gaming systems and HDTVs, offering advantages
in image quality, power efficiency and reliability. These newly acquired
innovations enable cost-effective and ultra-thin form factor LCD
displays. They are also important for new applications such as advanced
LED-based general lighting solutions.
"Adding these breakthrough innovations to our portfolio advances our
mission of enriching the consumer experience of electronic systems,"
said Harold Hughes, president and chief executive officer of Rambus.
"Through the work of Jeff Parker and his team, we will continue to
enhance the display of games, movies and images on computers and
consumer electronic products."
"Rambus' long history of creating and licensing leadership solutions
makes it the ideal home for this advanced lighting and optoelectronics
technology," said Jeff Parker, senior vice president Lighting Technology
Division of Rambus. "There are tremendous business and technical
synergies created by this acquisition. Rambus' extensive system and
integration expertise greatly complements our new LED-based solutions
for bright, thin and vibrant displays."
As a premier technology licensing company, Rambus can accelerate the
market adoption of LED backlighting solutions across a broad range of
applications. Through this agreement, Rambus has acquired 84 issued
patents encompassing numerous innovations in advanced lighting and
optoelectronics. GLT will continue its operations as a leading developer
and manufacturer of display backlighting products and now becomes a
Rambus licensee for the newly acquired patents and technology.
Rambus management will discuss this acquisition during a special
conference call today at 3:00 p.m. PT. The call will be webcast and can
be accessed through the Rambus website. A replay will be available
following the call on Rambus' Investor Relations website or for one week
at the following numbers: (888) 203-1112 (domestic) or (719) 457-0820
(international) with ID# 3063402.
About Rambus Inc.
Rambus is one of the world's premier technology licensing companies.
Founded in 1990, the Company specializes in the invention and design of
architectures focused on enhancing the end user experience of computing,
communications and consumer electronics applications. Rambus' patented
innovations and breakthrough technologies in the area of high-speed
memory architectures and complementary technologies have helped
industry-leading chip and system companies bring superior products to
market. Rambus' technology and renowned integration expertise solve some
of the most complex chip and system-level interface challenges. Rambus
licenses both its world-class patent portfolio as well as its family of
leadership and industry-standard interface products. Headquartered in
Los Altos, California, Rambus has regional offices in North Carolina,
Ohio, India, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan. Additional information is
available at www.rambus.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements related to the
acquisition of patented innovations and technology from Global Lighting
Technologies. Actual events or results may differ materially from those
contained in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the
documents Rambus files from time to time with the SEC, including Rambus'
most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and the Current Report on Form 8-K
filed by Rambus regarding the adoption of FASB Staff Position APB 14-1.
These SEC filings contain and identify important factors that could
cause Rambus' consolidated financial results to differ materially from
those contained in Rambus' forward-looking statements. Although Rambus
believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, Rambus cannot guarantee future results,
levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Rambus is under no
duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of
this press release to conform to actual results.
RMBSTN
SOURCE: Rambus Inc.
Rambus Public Relations
Linda Ashmore, 650-947-5411
lashmore@rambus.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009