U.S. FTC: Rambus improperly acquired a patent; slim possibility to collect royalty
E020621X1 Jul. 2002（E35）
Rambus, a company engaged in high-level memory, was determined by the FTC in the U.S. as acquiring a patent by improper means. In the future, Rambus may no longer be unable to collect royalties from memory manufacturers. Rambus has previously signed memory license agreements with local memory manufacturers such as Winbond, Vanguard International and etc. In other words, Winbond and Vanguard International have to pay royalties to Rambus in respect of production of RDRAM.
Winbond’s spokesman pointed out that it will be positive to Taiwanese manufacturers if Rambus’ patent is indeed judged as invalid.
Winbond is one of the few local DRAM manufacturers who have acquired Rambus’ patent license. At early stages, Vanguard International had also been engaged in Rambus’ products. However, Power Chip, Nan Ya Technology and Promos Technologies, etc. are not positive towarde Rambus’ memory. Given that DDR and SDRAM are dominating the main stream DRAM market now, the impact produced by Rambus’ memory on the market is significantly less than before.
Source:Economic Daily News 06/21/2002
