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Technology Stocks : WDC/Sandisk Corporation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: pompsander who wrote (27742)	3/25/2005 12:34:21 PM
From: Ausdauer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60323

Pompsander, thanks for the update! I think SanDisk and Lexar have already pounded out patent issues previously, so the term "stolen" trade secrets is somewhat puzzling to me with regard to any vulnerability SanDisk may have in this issue. If in fact Toshiba stole and then used trade secrets, one wonders what these actually might encompass. Perhaps Toshiba needed controller patents to optimize the host functions in cameras and MP3 players (like the original Rio!) that used SmartMedia. It is possible that Toshiba bundled firmware or even actual controllers with sample SmartMedia cards to firms Olympus and Fuji who used SmartMedia almost exclusively in their first several generations of digital cameras (until xD was introduced). I am incredulous of the possibility that SanDisk would ever consider implementing misappropriated technology from Lexar. The payment on the SmartMedia patent infringement to Lexar likely settled any dispute, and the "truce" addended to the '987 settlement seems to be all encompassing. I am holding fast here. Aus