Further clouding the horizon are three legal actions by Rambus Inc. against chip maker Hitachi based on alleged patent infringement. In January, Rambus filed suit in Delaware federal court seeking injunctions against the manufacture, use and sale of certain Hitachi devices. One part of the suit essentially charges Hitachi with failing to discuss with Rambus how Hitachi's non-Rambus products might infringe on Rambus patents. This simple question, however, has implications that extend well beyond the two companies involved, he says. The outcome of these proceedings will be directly relevant to every company making or using synchronous DRAMs, Glaskowsky says.
Contracts require an exchange of value under agreed-upon terms.
He believes this requirement was met in this case. Of course, Rambus is entitled to try to enforce its patent claims on advanced memory technology, he adds. About the Author Bill Arnold is an independent writer concentrating on the electronics industry. D.C. He has contributed articles to a number of publications in the electronics and product design and development arenas, and also has done articles on technology, trends and strategies for the Economist, Financial Times of London, Upside and Buyside . He is the author of KPMG Peat Marwick's Semiconductor Industry Handbook .