Hynix owes Rambus . . . a whole lot of money?

Any Donkey estimates that Hynix owes Rambus over $52,000,000 – and counting - for the use of Rambus’ intellectual property in Hynix’s DRAM in 2005 - if Rambus is ultimately successful in its litigation with Hynix.

Tom’s Hardware Guide reported that isuppli estimated Hynix’s DRAM revenue for the first quarter of 2005 totaled $1,083 million.

To calculate Hynix’s DRAM bill for infringing Rambus’ patents, Any Donkey spread Hynix’s revenue among the various types of DRAM in portions equal to the market share each type DRAM is of the total market as estimated by Fred Hager.

Each type of DRAM was then assigned a royalty rate equal to the rate estimated by Fred Hager as being reasonable. The per day average bill for first quarter 2005 is carried forward to estimate the amount of the increasing debt.

Please note that the estimated bill is only for Hynix DRAM in 2005 and does not include any calculation for a higher “reasonable” royalty due to litigation success (or settlement) or treble damages.

A Hynix meter runs under RMBS Facts in the right column of Treowth.

Hat tip to the anonymous techie for setting the meters on Treowth and making Treowth more pleasing to the eye.

(All errors on Treowth are solely the responsibility of Any Donkey. Any Donkey is not providing investment or legal services. Do your own due diligence.)