Los Altos, California, United States – 08/22/2006
Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS) today announced that the United States District Court for the Northern District of California conditionally stayed the final stage of the Hynix vs. Rambus matter until February 2, 2007 or the issuance of a final order of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), whichever occurs first.
The Court noted two reasons for the stay, (1) the potential for a resolution of this case once the FTC sets royalty rates on SDRAM and DDR SDRAM, and (2) to afford Hynix ninety days to try to establish the applicability of any findings of the FTC to this phase of the Hynix case.
The stay for the third phase of the trial has been conditioned in part upon Hynix’s agreement, within ten days, to post security. The security is intended to ensure payment of previously awarded damages together with damages for infringing sales between January 1, 2006 and February 2, 2007 (at royalty rates of 1% for SDRAM and 4.25% for DDR SDRAM and DDR2), together with prejudgment interest.
“The Court has expressed its view that the Commission’s decision has increased the potential for a resolution of this case and the several other litigations between Rambus and various DRAM manufacturers,” said Robert Kramer, acting general counsel at Rambus. “We are hopeful that such an industry-wide resolution can be achieved and we will continue to work toward that end. In the event this case proceeds to trial, we expect to demonstrate to the Court that the Commission’s findings should not be given prima facie weight.”
This case was originally filed by Hynix against Rambus in August 2000 seeking declaratory judgments that certain Rambus patents are invalid and not infringed. Earlier this year, all ten of ten patent claims presented to a jury in the case were found to be valid and infringed, and Rambus was awarded damages.
Additional information on this and other cases can be found at investor.rambus.com, under the Litigation Update section.
About Rambus Inc.
Rambus is one of the world’s premier technology licensing companies specializing in the invention and design of high-speed chip interfaces. Since its founding in 1990, the Company’s patented innovations, breakthrough technologies and renowned integration expertise have helped industry-leading chip and system companies bring superior products to market. Rambus’ technology and products solve customers’ most complex chip and system-level interface challenges enabling unprecedented performance in computing, communications and consumer electronics applications. Rambus licenses both its world-class patent portfolio as well as its family of leadership and industry-standard interface products. Headquartered in Los Altos, California, Rambus has regional offices in North Carolina, India, Germany, Japan and Taiwan. Additional information is available at www.rambus.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to the Company’s plans to request a hearing before a NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council, the outcome of the financial restatements and the audit committee’s independent investigation. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by the Company’s management, and there can be no assurance concerning the outcome of the hearing request or the review, as well as financial restatements or the audit committee’s independent investigation. Actual results may differ materially. Our business generally is subject to a number of risks which are described in our SEC filings including our 10-K and 10-Qs. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.
