ITC to Begin Probe on Toshiba’s Flash Memory Products

By Kyodo News International, Tokyo

May 12–WASHINGTON — The U.S. International Trade Commission decided Thursday to institute an investigation of Toshiba Corp.’s flash memory chips, flash memory systems and products containing them, the ITC said in a statement.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Lexar Media Inc. of Fremont, California, against Toshiba Corp. of Japan and its two U.S. units — Toshiba America Inc. of New York and Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc. of Irvine, California — on April 11.

The complaint alleges violations of Section 337 of the 1930 Tariff Act in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of Toshiba’s flash memory chips, flash memory systems, and products containing them that infringe patents owned by Lexar.

The major U.S. microchip manufacturer requests that the ITC issue a permanent exclusion order and permanent cease and desist orders.

The products at issue are used in consumer electronics products, such as flash drives, digital cameras, portable digital music recorders and players, and portable digital video recorders and players.

The ITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time, the commission said.

Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation.

Lexar and Toshiba are reportedly in the middle of a court battle in the United States over technology related to flash memories.

—–

To see more of Kyodo News International, go to http://www.kyodonews.com

Copyright (c) 2006, Kyodo News International, Tokyo

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.

TOSBF, 6502,