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China's leading flash memory maker Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC) has filed a lawsuit against US memory chip maker Micron Technology for patent infringement, accusing the American tech giant of "freeriding" to protect its market share.
The civil lawsuit against the largest US memory chip maker was filed on Thursday at the US District Court for Northern California. It alleges that Micron and its subsidiary Micron Consumer Products Group together infringed on eight of YMTC's patents.
The products named in the suit include YMTC's 96-, 128-, 176- and 232-layer NAND flash memory chips.
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"Just as we are committed to the pursuit of progress and product innovation, we are steadfast in our commitment to protecting our IP," a YMTC spokeswoman said by email when asked about the court filing. "We are confident that this matter will be resolved swiftly."
The latest legal saga comes as YMTC has sought to overcome escalating US sanctions on the export of advanced semiconductor tools and services to China. Washington blacklisted the Chinese chip giant last December. In April, Beijing launched a cybersecurity review into Micron in a move widely seen as retaliation for Washington's intensifying pressure.
The US measures have so far not derailed YMTC's progress. The firm has forged closer ties with domestic suppliers such as Naura to replace US parts in its manufacturing equipment, the Post previously reported.
The company also recently manufactured what by some measures is the "world's most advanced" 3D NAND memory chip known to be in a consumer device, according to TechInsights, which called it a "surprise technology leap".
Reflecting confidence in its market position, YMTC referred to itself in the case filing as "no longer an upstart", but a "key player in the global 3D NAND market". It painted Micron as "threatened by YMTC's ascension", turning to patent infringement to "hinder competition" and force its rival out of the market.
YMTC's 64-layer 3D NAND Flash memory wafer. Photo: ymtc.com alt=YMTC's 64-layer 3D NAND Flash memory wafer. Photo: ymtc.com>
YMTC is China's answer to top global NAND memory chip makers such as South Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, Japan's Kioxia, as well as Micron, the last company producing memory chips in the US. The 7-year-old Chinese firm unveiled in August last year its first 232-layer 3D NAND chip, the state-of-the-art X3-9070.