Silicon Image (Nasdaq:SIMG), a supplier of semiconductors for the secure storage, distribution and presentation of high-definition content, has filed a lawsuit against Analogix Semiconductor.

The complaint charges Analogix with copyright infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, and unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business practices. In the lawsuit, Silicon Image alleges that Analogix--without authorization and in violation of Silicon Image's intellectual property rights--copied and used Silicon Image's proprietary register maps and semiconductor configuration software. The complaint alleges that Analogix gained unlawful access to Silicon Image's confidential and proprietary register maps--access that Silicon Image never provided to Analogix. In addition to seeking significant monetary damages in an amount to be determined at trial, Silicon Image seeks an injunction barring Analogix from its ongoing infringement of Silicon Image's intellectual property rights.

Semiconductor layout designs involve strategic placement of various electronic components, including small memory cells called registers, on interconnected layers of a chip. Silicon Image's layout designs, including its register maps that identify locations of registers within its chip designs, are its guarded trade secrets. Documentation describing its designs is not publicly disclosed and is provided to Silicon Image's customers or business partners only under strict non-disclosure agreements. Silicon Image alleges that Analogix copied and used Silicon Image's register maps by gaining unauthorized access to Silicon Image's proprietary and confidential information.

Analogix Semiconductor designs and manufactures high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for the digital media market. It provides a suite of HDMI 1.3 and 1.2 transmitter and receiver solutions for the distribution of high definition video and audio in consumer electronics. The company also solutions for DisplayPort, a next generation digital interconnect for the PC. Analogix is based in Santa Clara, Calif., with offices in Beijing, China, Taipei, Taiwan and Tokyo, Japan.

At press time, Analogix did not issue a press release responding to Silicon Image's allegations.

Contact:
Edward Lopez, chief legal officer, Silicon Image, www.siliconimage.com