Infineon accuses Rambus of 'litigation misconduct'

Wants patent infringement case chucked out

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

Posted in IT Channel, 23rd December 2004 10:53 GMT

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Infineon has asked the US court to dismiss patent infringement allegations made against it by Rambus, alleging its opponent engaged in a "chronic and wilful pattern of litigation misconduct".

Infineon request for dismissal was filed last week with the US District Court for Virginia, Judge Robert E Payne presiding. The memory maker claims Rambus' lawsuit is merely a tactic employed to further attempts to dominate the DRAM industry. Infineon alleges that in 1998, 1999 and 2000, Rambus ran "shredding parties" in which documents that might have a negative impact on future litigation. It also "obstructed" Infineon's discovery efforts, the complaint maintains.

The German company also claims its opponent made "false statements in support of litigation positions that would have been untenable but for Rambus' destruction of evidence". Witnesses for Rambus made "false testimony", Infineon alleges.

Consequently, it wants the case thrown out "not only to prevent an injustice to Infineon but also to preserve the integrity of the judicial process itself".

Rambus has yet to respond to the request. ®