Zeev's Turnips Patch-No Politics (ZEEV)

[redwards]

fyi "Los Altos,CA - February 12, 2004 - Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS) announced that the Technical Board of Appeals of the European Patent Office (EPO) today made a ruling at the close of a three day hearing revoking Rambus's European patent 0 525 068 which related to one aspect of Rambus's patented technologies, a technology called "an access time register." Following normal practice, the basis for the ruling was not given. A written opinion would typically be expected in four to ten weeks. The ruling announced today does not apply to other European Rambus patents and patent applications. These cover other technologies that derive from Rambus's original Farmwald/Horowitz patent filings. Rambus's issued and pending U.S. patents are also not affected.



"Although disappointing, today's ruling by the EPO is a small part of a larger picture," said John Danforth, senior vice president and general counsel for Rambus. "We look forward to seeing the EPO Appeals Board written decision when it is available. In addition, of course, we look forward to further progress with respect to our unaffected U.S. patents, some of which are set for infringement trials in U.S. Courts in May and November of this year."

from yahoo board, fwiw