Rambus sues Hyundai & Micron back

Rambus Inc. has filed patent infringement suits in Germany and France against Hyundai Electronics Industries and Micron Technology. It is also seeking, through the U.S. International Trade Commission, a ban on the import and US sales of Hyundai's synchronous DRAMs and DDR memories because of alleged patent infringements. According to Rambus, its suit against Micron will be tried in Mannheim, Germany in February, next year. Rambus also says that a French court has seized documents and other materials concerning Micron SDRAM and DDR SDRAM in preparation for the suit against Micron in France.

The Korean Hyundai and the Idaho-based Micron both recently filed suits against Rambus alleging that the California chip design group was attempting to collect licensing fees based on illegal patents. Much of the microprocessor and computer industry seems to be lining up against Rambus, though many are doing so quietly and behind the scenes, reportedly due to fear of retribution if their efforts to overturn the chip patents are unsuccessful. The outcome of these lawsuits could have a significant bearing on the future of the entire computer industry.

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