Chinese Chipmaker YMTC Files Lawsuit Against Micron for Patent Infringement

Chinese chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC) has taken legal action against U.S. rival Micron Technology, alleging infringement of eight of its patents.

Credit: Idaho Press

The lawsuit was filed on November 9 at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. YMTC claims that Micron used its patented technology to gain an advantage in the market and failed to pay the appropriate licensing fees.

In response to the lawsuit, YMTC stated, "While we cannot discuss the specifics of pending litigation, I can confirm that YMTC recently filed a lawsuit...for infringement of our company's patents related to the design, manufacture and operation of 3D NAND technology." The company expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved swiftly.

Micron, a major player in the semiconductor industry, has not yet responded to the allegations outside of regular business hours. The company manufactures DRAM chips and NAND flash memory chips, competing with companies like Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Kioxia.

This legal dispute comes at a time when the U.S. has been tightening restrictions on exporting chipmaking technology to China due to security concerns. In recent years, China has also imposed restrictions on the purchase of Micron products, affecting the company's market share in the country.

YMTC, although a smaller rival, is determined to protect its intellectual property rights and seek fair compensation for the alleged patent infringement. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for both companies and the broader semiconductor industry.

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• Chinese chipmaker YMTC has filed a lawsuit against Micron Technology, accusing it of infringing on eight of its patents.

• YMTC claims that Micron used its patented technology to gain a competitive edge and did not pay the appropriate licensing fees.

• Micron has not yet responded to the allegations.

Source: REUTERS