Qimonda sets up new IP licensing venture

MUNICH, GERMANY: Memory chip maker Qimonda has given shape to a venture that would dedicate itself toward liquidating the company's semiconductor licenses. To be based out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the new Qimonda Licensing LLC will focus solely on Qimonda's worldwide patent portfolio.

Qimonda, the insolvent DRAM manufacturer, has resorted to floating the new company as it feels that such a company was a necessity in the US rather than Asia where a slew of DRAM vendors have set up shop. The US having known to the world's largest IP market has also led to this decision.

Dubbed as the largest semiconductor-related patent portfolios on a global scale, the new business has come about as a follow up to an agreement in this regard at a creditor's meeting a few days ago.

Qimonda, in the meanwhile, has been selling licenses all through. Last August, it had sold licenses related to graphic memory to Winbond and Elpida.

An industry news source believes that existing licensing agreements may not be affected by the new process. The company will be looking at finding new licensees or buyers for licenses whose expiration is imminent, the source added. Qimonda Licensing is said to be keen on selling as well as licensing IP.