ITC to investigate Hynix on NAND importation

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) said Feb. 9 it would comply with a request by Japan's Toshiba Corp. to investigate the sale and importation of certain NAND flash memory devices made by South Korea's Hynix Semiconductor Inc.

Toshiba alleges that the importation and sale of these Hynix devices violates the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930, the ITC said. Toshiba claims that these devices infringe upon its patents, the ITC said.

The complaint, filed Jan. 9, requests that the ITC issue a permanent exclusion order and permanent cease and desist orders. The ITC said that instituting an investigation does not constitute a decision on the merits of the case.

The ITC said it would make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the ITC will set a target date for completing the investigation, the organization said.

Paul Luckern, an ITC administrative law judge, will make an initial determination on the case following an unscheduled evidentiary hearing, the ITC said.

- Dylan McGrath
EE Times