AMD going after LG, Vizio, more for patent infringement

We reported back in January that AMD was gunning after LG, Vizio, MediaTek, and Sigma Designs - but now the US International Trade Commission has agreed to begin an investigation in alleged GPU patent infringement.

The four companies have allegedly used visual processing in their various products, including smartphones, TVs, and mobile processors - that infringe on AMD's concepts for unified graphics shaders and parallel graphics pipelines. If AMD is victorious in the USITC's investigation, it could see product sales bans on LG devices, and Vizio TVs.

USITC uploaded a press release a few days ago alerting that it would investigate "certain graphics systems, components thereof, and consumer products containing the same' under 'section 337'. The USITC says that it has "identified the following as respondents in this investigation":

• LG Electronics, Inc., of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
• LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ;
• LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc., of San Diego, CA;
• VIZIO, Inc., of Irvine, CA;
• MediaTek Inc., of Hsinchu City, Taiwan;
• MediaTek USA Inc. of San Jose, CA; and
• Sigma Designs, Inc., of Fremont, CA.

They finish by saying: "The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period".