Rambus CEO Harold Hughes is stepping down - causing grief, devastation and woe in intellectual property lawyers' offices across the USA.

Since 2005 he has led the memory technology firm, well-known for its litigious endeavours, and will stay in post until a successor is found. A search is underway.

In a canned statement, he said:

Rambus is on a strong path as a result of our diversification strategy and recent license agreements with key semiconductor companies. Given this, I have decided it is time to start the process of identifying my successor and help the company move into the next phase.

I look forward to helping identify a new CEO to lead our business forward to reach its full potential, and to assist in any way I can as a Board member.

Micron, Hynix and many other firms whose lawyers have fought Rambus in law courts know all about Rambus wanting to reach its full potential.

Hughes will probably stay on the board and help ensure that Panthera Rambus doesn't change its spots; a prospect that will lower palpitations in legal eagles facing prospects of severe fee deprivation. ®

Related stories

• Rambus decides to enter the semiconductor chip manufacturing game (17 August 2015)

  https://www.theregister.com/2015/08/17/rambus_to_make_chips/

• Rambus versus Micron FINALLY OVER (11 December 2013)

  https://www.theregister.com/2013/12/11/rambus_versus_micron_finally_over/

• SK Hynix coughs $240m to settle Rambus IP case (12 June 2013)

  https://www.theregister.com/2013/06/12/hynix_coughs_up_meelions_to_rambus/

• Rambus' patent evidence-shredding slices into Hynix DRAM payout (24 September 2012)

  https://www.theregister.com/2012/09/24/judge_reduces_rambus_royalties/

• Rambus drops $35m for Unity Semiconductor (7 February 2012)

  https://www.theregister.com/2012/02/07/rambus_unity_semiconductor/

• US shoots down key Rambus patent (31 January 2012)

  https://www.theregister.com/2012/01/31/rambus_barth_3_invalidated/

• Rambus tumbles in antitrust reversal (17 November 2011)

  https://www.theregister.com/2011/11/17/rambus_loses_legal_case_micron_hynix/

• Rambus litigation imperilled by document shredding (16 May 2011)

  https://www.theregister.com/2011/05/16/rambus_shreds_documents/