Mosaid to step up patent licensing, network IC introductions with new divisions

Mosaid to step up patent licensing, network IC introductions with new divisions
By Semiconductor Business News
April 27, 2001 (3:10 a.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20010427S0002

OTTAWA--Mosaid Technologies Inc. here has divided up its Semiconductor Division into two new units in order to focus more attention on intellectual property revenues and new networking products.

The move comes as Mosaid expands its DRAM technology licensing campaign, and prepares to move new networking products to the marketplace. Earlier this month, Mosaid announced its fifth DRAM patent licensing agreement with Mitsubishi Electric Corp. of Japan after inking pacts with Hitachi, Toshiba, NEC, Fujitsu (see April 18 story). Mosaid claims that it is impossible to produce mainstream DRAMs without using its patented technologies, and it has notified nine other memory makers of patent infringement.

"In recent years, intellectual property has emerged as an important and growing part of our business, accounting for the majority of revenues from the Semiconductor Division," sai d George Cwynar, president and CEO of Mosaid. "Our networking products are currently in transition from the development to revenue phase."

Peter Gillingham, vice president of business development for Mosaid's Semiconductor Division, has been named general manager of the new Intellectual Property Division. He has led Mosaid's patent licensing program.

The new Networking Products Division will focus on commercialization of high-performance classification, switching and encryption chips. Chief executive Cwynar has assumed the role of acting general manager of the Networking Products Division until the position is filled.