Hynix: Toshiba demands 800 million euros in damages for theft of flash secrets

Hynix states that competitor Toshiba is claiming 109.15 billion yen, or 800 million euros, in a lawsuit. Toshiba accuses Hynix of stealing trade secrets related to nand flash chip technology.

In addition to the damages, Toshiba, along with its American partner SanDisk, are demanding that Hynix destroy all classified information that it allegedly stole. The companies also want Hynix to cease both production and sales of nand-flash chips developed based on Toshiba’s technology. Hynix, in turn, is demanding that the court dismiss all charges, Reuters writes.

The nand flash chip technology, which is used in smartphones and tablets, among other things, is said to have been stolen by a former SanDisk employee. He was arrested by the Tokyo police and is accused of giving this information to Hynix. Flash chips are an important source of income for Toshiba and the company estimates the loss of turnover at approximately 800 million euros.

Hynix has been sued by Toshiba before: in 2004, the South Korean company was accused of infringing Toshiba’s patents in flash memory technology. The case was eventually settled with the companies entering into a mutual licensing agreement.