Micron Sues YMTC Over Engineer Poaching and NAND IP
Micron filed a lawsuit this month against YMTC, accusing the Chinese memory maker of poaching engineers and using stolen NAND know-how to build patents and sue Micron.
Micron has filed a lawsuit this month against Chinese memory manufacturer YMTC, accusing it of poaching Micron engineers and illegally obtaining NAND memory know-how, according to a report by The Information.
Micron alleges that YMTC used the information to build its own non-volatile memory and patent portfolio. The company further claims that YMTC then used patents granted to its former employees to accuse Micron of patent infringements in various jurisdictions.
Micron says it began to uncover the alleged scheme after YMTC sued it for patent infringement in California in November 2023. That earlier lawsuit prompted Micron to investigate the origins of the patents at issue.
The dispute highlights growing tensions in the memory chip industry, where intellectual property and talent are fiercely contested. Both CXMT and YMTC were established in 2016, and both have faced scrutiny from foreign competitors over their rapid technological development.
Micron's lawsuit adds to a broader pattern of legal battles between U.S. and Chinese chipmakers over technology transfer and patent rights. The outcome could affect how memory manufacturers protect their intellectual property across borders.
Quick answers
What does Micron accuse YMTC of?
Micron accuses YMTC of poaching its engineers, illegally obtaining NAND memory know-how, and using that information to build its own non-volatile memory and patent portfolio.
When did YMTC sue Micron for patent infringement?
YMTC sued Micron for patent infringement in California in November 2023.
When were CXMT and YMTC established?
Both CXMT and YMTC were established in 2016.