Computer-chip memory makers Toshiba and Hynix Semiconductor have settled all pending patent litigation between them in the U.S. and Japan and have agreed to work together.

Toshiba and Hynix said in a statement they have signed patent cross licensing and product-supply agreements that will allow each company to use one another's semiconductor patents.

"The signing of the agreements is a positive step for both companies," said Shozo Saito, corporate vice president and executive vice president of Toshiba's semiconductor business. "With litigation behind us, and through these agreements, we can now strengthen our respective businesses."

The agreement caps litigation Toshiba levied at Hynix in 2004 after the two companies couldn't agree on a licensing contract renewal involving NAND Flash (define) memory chips.

NAND Flash chips are considered highly efficient semiconductors for storing data on digital devices, such as MP3 players, iPods and digital cameras, gadgets that are quickly proliferating at a time when customers demand more mobile technologies.

Toshiba is the leader in this highly litigious NAND Flash market and has been on the hard-luck end in one high-profile NAND Flash suit.

Last September, Toshiba agreed to pay $288 million for Micron's NAND Flash semiconductor technology and license patents to settle all of the litigation between Toshiba and Lexar Media, which Micron bought in June.

Hynix is also no stranger to memory chip litigation.

By: DocMemory
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