LOS ALTOS, Calif., Jan 22, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq:RMBS), one of the world's premier technology
licensing companies, today announced that the Administrative Law Judge
(ALJ) for its U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) action against
NVIDIA Corp. and other respondents issued an Initial Determination
finding them in violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The
ALJ determined that three of Rambus' five asserted patents are valid,
enforceable, and infringed by the respondents. The ALJ also determined
that there was no violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 for
the remaining two asserted patents. The action is Investigation Number
337-TA-661.
Any of the parties may request the ITC's full Commission to review the
ALJ's Initial Determination. If the Commission grants a petition for
review, it may affirm, modify, reverse, set aside, or remand all or part
of the ALJ's decision in developing the ITC's final determination.
"Following an extensive hearing process, we are pleased with the ALJ's
determination that three of our patents are valid and infringed," said
Tom Lavelle, senior vice president and general counsel at Rambus. "We
are obviously disappointed with the result for the other asserted
patents and intend to request the Commission's review of the
corresponding portions of the Initial Determination. We will continue to
vigorously protect our patented inventions for the benefit of our
shareholders and in fairness to our paying licensees."
History of the case: On November 6, 2008, Rambus filed a complaint with
the ITC requesting an investigation pertaining to NVIDIA products. The
complaint sought an exclusion order barring the importation, sale for
importation, or sale after importation of products that infringe nine of
Rambus' patents. The accused products are products that incorporate
certain NVIDIA memory controllers, including graphics processors and
media and communications processors. The complaint named NVIDIA as a
proposed Respondent, as well as companieswhose products
incorporate the accused NVIDIA products and are imported into the United
States. These respondents include: Asustek Computer Inc. and Asus
Computer International, BFG Technologies, Biostar Microtech and Biostar
Microtech International Corp., Diablotek Inc., EVGA Corp., G.B.T. Inc.
and Giga-Byte Technology Co., Hewlett-Packard, MSI Computer Corp. and
Micro-Star International Co., Palit Multimedia Inc. and Palit
Microsystems Ltd., Pine Technology Holdings, Ltd., and Sparkle Computer
Co. Four of the asserted patents were withdrawn from the investigation.
An evidentiary hearing on the remaining asserted patents was held before
the ALJ on October 13-20, 2009.
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 release contains forward-looking statements under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to Rambus' complaint
with the ITC regarding the NVIDIA products and related matters. There is
no assurance of any result from the ITC with respect to Rambus'
complaint regarding the NVIDIA products. Such forward-looking statements
are based on current expectations, estimates and projections,
management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by Rambus' management.
Actual results may differ materially. Rambus' business generally is
subject to a number of risks which are described more fully in Rambus'
periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Rambus undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
RMBSLN
SOURCE: Rambus Inc.
Rambus Public Relations
Linda Ashmore, 650-947-5411
lashmore@rambus.com
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