Date: July 25, 2006
Source: KIPO
- Joining hands with Samsung Electronics, American Ovonics is the company holding critical patents related to P RAM -
The survey on American patents related to the next generation semiconductors revealed that patent applications related to F RAM and M RAM are decreasing, while applications related to P RAM are increasing since 2001. These patent applications are focused mostly on practical technology, suggesting that P RAM products will be the first to lead the market.
Succeeding the previous D RAM and flash memories, the next generation semiconductor is a new memory concept including Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (F RAM), Magnetic RAM (M RAM), and Phase Change RAM (P RAM).
- These new memories combine the advantages of both D RAM (high speed and large integration) and flash memory (nonvolatile). Since they are expected to replace all types of semiconductors in the future, many companies are competing in technical development to dominate the market.
- Each company is focusing on different technology, and their success will depend on the type of semiconductor technology that will lead the coming market.
According to KIPO (Commissioner: JUN, Sang Woo), the average number of patent applications related to M RAM between 2001~2003 was 310 annually, while 200 related to F RAM. In 2004, the numbers drastically decreased to 110 (M RAM) and 49 (F RAM).
For P RAM, the average number of patent applications between 01~03 was 55 annually, and in 2004, the number was 19, showing a relatively smaller scale of decrease.
- 38% of patent applications were related to actual production, such as the chip’s driving circuit that is usually applied in the stage of product development after completing core technology development. Such trend suggests that the leader of next generation semiconductor will be P RAM, at least for the near future.
- Since the examination for patent applications filed in 2004 hasn’t been completed yet, additional registration should also be considered. However, the difference in the decreased registration scale still suggests the significance of observing the rapidly changing technical trend related to semiconductors.
Looking at domestic applications related to the next generation semiconductor;
- While Hynix is mainly focusing on F RAM (the 2nd to hold the most related patents in America), the company has almost no patents related to P RAM or M RAM.
- Samsung Electronics, holding the 6th most patents in America related to P RAM, entered a patent agreement with American Ovonics, holding the 2nd most patents related to P RAM. More attention should be focused on the patent and market trends related to P RAM.