The European Patent Office (EPO) yesterday made several rulings
related to a patent in the name of chip interface designer Rambus.
The EPO affirmed the novelty and inventiveness of the patent,
rejecting numerous "prior art" arguments raised by three major
semiconductor manufacturers.
However, the EPO also said that the patent filing would only be
valid with further amendment by Rambus to conform more closely to
the language as originally filed in 1990. This last aspect of the
ruling, which reversed a prior EPO decision, will be appealed by
Rambus.
US-based Rambus is suing chip makers both at home and in Europe
for refusing to pay royalties on its technology. Rambus expects
that the latest ruling will be used by its opponents to argue that
the infringement case should be limited.
“While aspects of today's ruling will likely complicate and
delay the proceedings in Europe, we are pleased that the
originality and inventiveness of our patents have been affirmed,”
said John Danforth, senior vice president and general counsel for
Rambus.
