Toshiba sues Powerchip over flash memory patent

Chipmaker Toshiba has filed a suit against Taiwan’s Powerchip Technology Corporation and three companies, Powerflash Technology Corporation, Zentel Electronics Corporation, and C.T.C. Co. together, for infringement of Toshiba’s Taiwan patents for NAND flash memory.

The company is asking the court to enjoin the manufacture and sale of infringing NAND flash memory products, including part No. A5U2GA31BTS-BC, etc, and for compensation for damages.

Powerchip Technology and three other companies offer NAND flash memories without a licence to use technologies covered by Toshiba patents. Toshiba has issued notices to Powerchip Technology, all of which have been ignored, leaving no recourse other than legal action.

Toshiba invented NAND flash memory in 1987 and has subsequently directed resources to maintaining technology leadership.