June 6, 2007
News Release 07-061
Inv. No. 337-TA-607
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain semiconductor devices, DMA systems, and products containing same. The products at issue in this investigation are semiconductor devices made in accordance with certain processes and direct memory access ("DMA") systems and processes performed by such systems. Examples of these products are microcontrollers embedded in products such as industrial equipment, car information systems, and office equipment.

The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., of Seoul, Korea, on May 7, 2007. Supplements to the complaint were filed on May 23, 2007, and June 5, 2007. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States of certain semiconductor devices, DMA systems, and products containing same that infringe patents owned by the complainant. The complainant requests that the ITC issue a permanent exclusion order and a permanent cease and a desist order.

The ITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:

Renesas Technology Corp. of Japan; and
Renesas Technology America, Inc., of San Jose, CA.

By instituting this investigation (337-TA-607), the ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The case will be referred to the Honorable Carl C. Charneski, an ITC administrative law judge, who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. Judge Charneski will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.

The ITC will 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. ITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.