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SanDisk/Hynix joins technology on new NAND development


Wednesday, March 21, 2007 SanDisk Corporation and Hynix Semiconductor Inc. are planning a joint venture to develop and make flash memories and NAND memory systems based on four-bit-per-cell x4 flash technology. The move follows the companies signing a patent cross licensing deal Wednesday (March 21) covering flash memory that ends a long standing dispute.

The joint venture would involve equal capital investments by both companies in production capacity at Hynix. The companies' x4 technology cooperation was started between msystems Ltd. and Hynix before the acquisition of msystems by SanDisk last July for $1.35 billion.

Neither company would give further details about the proposed venture.

"With the patent cross license behind us, we are able to put aside distractions and turn our attention to a very promising relationship in the development of x4 technology. We look forward to building on this relationship to our companies mutual benefit," commented O.C. Kwon, senior VP of Hynix.

Eli Harari, Chairman and CEO of SanDisk, added in a statement: "This cross license agreement resolves all IP issues between Hynix and SanDisk, and allows each company to focus on maximizing its opportunities."

Hynix already has a NAND flash memory manufacturing joint venture with STMicroelectronics that is expected to start making 4-Gbit and 8G-bit devices on a 70-nm process soon in Wuxi, China.

Hynix also resolved a long standing patent dispute with Toshiba Corp. Tuesday (March 20) about DRAM and NAND technology with an agreement on semiconductor cross-licensing and product supply.

Though details were not confirmed, the deal reportedly involves a Hynix cash payment to Toshiba.

By: DocMemory
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