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To: Bill Zeman who wrote (4809)	2/20/1999 6:29:00 PM
From: Rex Dwyer	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 60323

Yes yes yes, All of these cards are flash memory cards. SmartMedia, CompactFlash, Memory stick, MMC, Miniature card, etc. SNDK's main killer patents are on imitating the ATA interface to make the card look just like a disk drive. Also, this also means that the Microsoft compatibility means ATA interface. Hence, being uSoft compatible means paying SNDK. Any maker of ICs that imitate a disk drive, ala ATA "FlashDrives" need to pay a royalty to SNDK. All major corps, mostly in Japan, are paying, except Lexar Media. But thats heavily in court as we speak. This thread is anxiously awaiting the outcome. Rex (24 5/8)

To: Bill Zeman who wrote (4809)	2/20/1999 11:09:00 PM
From: Ausdauer	Respond to of 60323

Bill, Yes, brands like RCA and Quasar are now Japanese. I think we still have a Ford Delco brand name car radio. That is perhaps the only remaining US electronics maker of note left from the 60's and 70's. I was thinking of buying a Delco home sound system, but it only came with an 8 track player. I think that Sony will compete by making a parallel line of digital cameras, mp3 players (in an attempt to make up for the money they lost promoting the minidisc player) and other devices. They showed up a little late to the party. The PDA market has developed with CF as the preferred multifunctional slot, for example. SNDK will have to fight head-to-head with Toshiba and Sony. I doubt that any additional royalty payments will come SNDK's way just because SmartMedia or Memory Stick takes off. Ausdauer