Micron Ranks First in Science Strength Category of Patent Board Semiconductor Industry Scorecard
Micron Also Scores Fifth in Technology Strength and Overall in Patent Board Report

BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:MU), today announced the company has earned the top ranking for the second consecutive year in the Science Strength category of the Patent Board's Semiconductor industry scorecard that tracks the global patent activity relating to companies' innovation, technology and science strengths.

Micron also ranked fifth in Technology Strength and overall in the semiconductor industry, according to the Oct. 25 report issued by the Patent Board. The Science Strength ranking measures how much a company uses science in building its patent portfolio with a combined measure of science and quantity. Technology Strength measures overall strength of the company's patent portfolio holdings with a combined measure of quality and quantity.

"Micron has long been proud of our strong portfolio, and these latest impressive rankings are further testament to the value the company places on maintaining a workplace that welcomes new ideas in the spirit of innovation," said Mark Durcan, Micron President and Chief Operating Officer.

Micron has annually ranked among the top semiconductor companies worldwide for patent strength and value. In total, Micron has secured more than 25,000 issued patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and other international patent offices.

The Patent Board Semiconductors industry scorecard ranks 240 companies.