ITC Initiates Patent Investigation on Certain Flash Memory Controllers, Drives, Memory Cards, and Media Players and Products Containing Same

Complaint Alleges Patent Violations, Requests Exclusion & Cease/Desist Orders

The complaint, as supplemented and filed on behalf of SanDisk Corporation of Milpitas, California, alleges violations of 19 USC 1337 in the importation into the U.S., the sale for importation, and the sale within the U.S. after importation of certain flash memory controllers, drives, memory cards, and media players and products containing same by reason of infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,426,893, 6,763,424, 5,719,808, 6,947,332, and 7,137,011. The complaint, as supplemented, further alleges that an industry in the U.S. exists as required by subsection (a)(2) of section 337.

The complainant requests that the ITC issue a permanent exclusion order and a permanent cease and desist order after the investigation.

Respondents Alleged to Be in Violation of Section 337

The respondents are the following entities alleged to be in violation of section 337:

Phison Electronics Corporation of Taiwan;

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation, Silicon Motion, Inc. of Taiwan;

Silicon Motion, Inc., Silicon Motion International, Inc. of Milpitas, CA;

USBest Technology, Inc. of Taiwan;

Skymedi Corporation of Taiwan;

Chipsbrand Microelectronics (HK) Co. of Hong Kong;

Chipsbank Microelectronics Co., Ltd. of China;

Zotek Electronic Co., Ltd., of Hong Kong;

Infotech Logistic, LLC, Dba Supertron Memory of Albany, NY;

Power Quotient International Co., Ltd. of Taiwan;

Power Quotient International (HK) Co., Ltd. of Hong Kong;

Syscom Development Co., Ltd. of the British Virgin Islands;

PQI Corporation of Fremont, CA;

PNY Technologies, Inc. of Parsippany, NJ;

Kingston Technology Company, Inc. of Fountain Valley, CA;

Payton Technology Corporation of Fountain Valley, CA;

MemoSun, Inc. of Fountain Valley, CA;

Melco Holdings, Inc., of Japan;

Buffalo, Inc. of Japan;

Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc. of Austin, TX;

Verbatim Corporation of Charlotte, NC;

Transcend Information Inc. of Taiwan;

Transcend Information Inc. of Orange, CA;

Transcend Information Maryland, Inc. of Linthicum, MD;

Imation Corp., Imation Enterprises Corp. of Oakdale, MN;

Memorex Products, Inc. of Cerritos, CA;

Add-On Computer Peripherals, Inc., Add-On Computer Peripherals, LLC, of Irvine, CA;

Add-On Technology Co. of Taiwan;

A-Data Technology Co., Ltd. of Taiwan;

A-Data Technology (USA) Co., Ltd. of Fremont, CA;

Acer, Inc. of Taiwan;

Apacer Technology Inc. of Taiwan;

Apacer Memory America, Inc. of Milpitas, CA;

Behavior Tech Computer Corp. of Taiwan;

Emprex Technologies Corp. of Taiwan;

Behavior Tech Computer (USA) Corp., Dba BTC USA of Fremont, CA;

Corsair Memory, Inc. of Fremont, CA;

Dane-Elec Memory S.A. of France;

Deantusaiocht Dane-Elec TEO, Dba Dane-Elec Manufacturing of Ireland;

Dane Elec Corp. USA, Dba Intervalle Corp., Dba Dane-Elec Manuf. USA, of Irvine, CA;

EDGE Tech Corporation, Dba Peripheral Enhancements Corp. of Ada, OK;

Interactive Media Corp., Dba Kanguru Solutions of Holliston, MA;

Kaser Corporation of Fremont, CA;

LG Electronics, Inc. of Korea;

LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. of Englewood Cliffs, NJ;

TSR Silicon Resources Inc. of New York, NY; and

Welldone Company of Taiwan.

Determination of Violation to be Made by ALJ, Reviewed by ITC

By instituting this investigation, the ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The case will be referred to an ITC administrative law judge (ALJ), who will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337, which is subject to review by the ITC.

(Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. ITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.)

ITC contact -Christopher Paulraj (202) 205-3052

ITC notice (Inv. No. 337-TA-619, FR Pub 12/12/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24016.pdf

ITC press release (07-121, dated 12/06/07) available at http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2007/er1206ee2.htm