Josephine Lien, Taipei; Steve Shen, DIGITIMES [Monday 3 November 2008]
Following Afa Technologies' (Afatech's) settlement with SanDisk over its NAND flash-related patent infringement lawsuit, another Taiwan-based flash memory product maker, A-Data Technology, has reportedly also reached an agreement, according to market sources.
As with Afatech, the terms of reconciliation between A-Data and SanDisk were not disclosed. However, sources at A-Data said that the company has committed to using only licensed technologies to manufacture NAND flash products shipped to the US.
With the US ITC close to making a final decision over the case, more Taiwan memory companies are expected to settle the dispute with SanDisk soon.
Other Taiwan companies accused by SanDisk for using its patented technologies included Transcend Information, Power Quotient International (PQI), Phison Electronics, Silicon Motion Technology and Skymedi.
Most makers listed in the patent infringement suit are likely to re-design their products to avoid using related patents, according to market watchers in Taiwan.
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