ASMedia Offices Raided over USB 3.0 Controller Design Infringement Allegations

Stefan Mileschin · 4th September 2012, 08:48

Offices of semiconductor company ASMedia were raided by law enforcement agencies in Taiwan, late last month, over allegations of intellectual property (IP) theft of physical-layer component (PHY) design of USB 3.0 host controllers. While the agencies did not disclose who is behind the allegations, it is rumored to be VIA, which sells USB 3.0 host, hub, and device controllers under the VIA Labs Inc (VLI) brand. Many of ASMedia's engineers are former employees of VIA, who are believed to have trafficked its IP over to their new employers.

Following the raid, ASMedia president Lin Che-wei held a press-conference in Taipei, announcing full cooperation with the authorities over the investigation. It remains to be seen how the investigation affects supplies of ASMedia's USB 3.0 controllers. A PC motherboard maker we spoke with expressed concern over the developments.

http://www.techpowerup.com/171597/AS...legations.html

4th September 2012, 08:48	#1
Stefan Mileschin [M] Reviewer Join Date: May 2010 Location: Romania Posts: 95,310	ASMedia Offices Raided over USB 3.0 Controller Design Infringement Allegations Offices of semiconductor company ASMedia were raided by law enforcement agencies in Taiwan, late last month, over allegations of intellectual property (IP) theft of physical-layer component (PHY) design of USB 3.0 host controllers. While the agencies did not disclose who is behind the allegations, it is rumored to be VIA, which sells USB 3.0 host, hub, and device controllers under the VIA Labs Inc (VLI) brand. Many of ASMedia's engineers are former employees of VIA, who are believed to have trafficked its IP over to their new employers. Following the raid, ASMedia president Lin Che-wei held a press-conference in Taipei, announcing full cooperation with the authorities over the investigation. It remains to be seen how the investigation affects supplies of ASMedia's USB 3.0 controllers. A PC motherboard maker we spoke with expressed concern over the developments. http://www.techpowerup.com/171597/AS...legations.html

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