ITC Has Initiated Investigation Against Spansion Pursuant to Macronix Patent Infringement Complaints

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Feb 03, 2014, 07:00 ET

HSINCHU, Taiwan, Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Macronix International Co., Ltd. (TSE: 2337), a global leader providing non-volatile memory semiconductor solutions, today announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission ("ITC") has instituted an investigation concerning whether Spansion and certain of Spansion's customers infringe certain Macronix patents. The ITC will decide whether to issue general exclusion orders barring importation of all products containing infringing Spansion chips, as well as limited exclusion orders against Spansion and its named customers, and cease and desist orders prohibiting sale of products held in inventory in the USA.

The patents involved in the investigation Macronix relate to the generation of multiple voltages, power regulation, and/or the manufacturing processes for non-volatile memory, including flash memory products.

Although Spansion argued that "the Commission should decline to institute the requested investigation" and Spansion separately argued that Macronix does not have the US-based activity necessary to succeed on the domestic industry elements of the complaint (and requested an expedited hearing on that issue), both of those Spansion positions were rejected by the ITC. The voting Commissioners of the ITC unanimously decided to initiate the investigations against Spansion and its customers named as respondents in the Macronix complaint.

Spansion previously complained to the ITC that certain Macronix products infringe Spansion patents. "Macronix is confident in its position that its products do not infringe any valid patents in that case, and has responded with actions in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in November 2013 to invalidate those Spansion patents" said Arthur Yang, president of Macronix America Inc. who further commented that "It's obvious that Spansion has lost confidence in its technology and is now resorting to litigation and false or misleading statements to disrupt the markets."

Contrary to Spansion's statements, the earliest scheduled decision of Spansion's ITC action will be in 2015, while the overlapping Macronix actions against Spansion could result in an even earlier injunction against importation of Spansion products. Macronix will continue vigorously defending and enforcing its rights to protect its interests and that of its customers.

About Macronix International Co., Ltd.
Macronix, a leading integrated device manufacturer in the Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) market, provides a full range of NOR Flash, NAND Flash, and ROM products. With its world-class R&D and manufacturing capability, Macronix continues to deliver high-quality, innovative and performance driven products to its customers in the consumer, communication, computing, automotive, networking and other segment markets.

For more information, please visit the Macronix's website: www.macronix.com

Media Contact:
Michelle Chang
Deputy Director
Corporate Communication Office
Macronix International Co., Ltd.
TEL: 886-3-578-6688 ext. 71233
FAX: 886-3-666-3169
Mobile: 886-933310870
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Macronix