Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2001/08/20/infineon_out_to_block_all/

Infineon out to block all Rambus action against it

Judge says he'll look into it

By Tony Smith

Posted in Channel, 20th August 2001 10:24 GMT

Infineon is seeking protection from future legal action that might be launched by Rambus alleging violation of the memory designer's DDR SDRAM patents.

The German memory maker last week heard that it is safe from such action centring on Rambus' single data rate SDRAM patents. US District Judge Robert Payne ruled that Rambus can't sue Infineon again for alleged violation of those patents because, as the jury sitting in Rambus' most recent action again Infineon decided, it had gained those patents fraudulently.

Incidentally, Judge Payne said that his ruling only applies in the US - Rambus is free to continue its action against Infineon in Germany.

However, Judge Payne ruled that the jury was wrong to come to a similar decision regarding Rambus' DDR SDRAM patents, and left the way open for future action from their alleged violation.

Infineon's response, made late last week, was to demand a rethink on the DDR patents. It claims Rambus' DDR intellectual property derives, in part, from the company's SDRAM patents, which, as the Judge ruled, can't be used as the basis for future claims.

Judge Payne said he will consider the matter at a preliminary hearing on 4 September, at which Infineon will supply evidence for its new claim, and a further sitting on 11 October at which he will both sides' arguments.

Memory maker Micron will be watching the hearing with interest. It is embroiled in a legal fight with Rambus of its own and, according to EBN, has asked the trial judge, Roderick McKelvie, for a summary judgement that, like Infineon, its products don't infringe Rambus' SDRAM and DDR patents. ®