SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Nvidia Corp. said Tuesday the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has rejected 41 claims against the chip maker brought by Rambus Inc., a company that licenses semiconductor technology.
But the decision is not binding on the International Trade Commission, where Rambus brought a complaint in November of last year asserting Nvidia was violating its patents, Nvidia spokesman Hector Marinez said.
Nvidia said the patent office's decision covers seven separate Rambus patents on graphics processors and related chips. The Santa Clara, Calif. company expects a ruling from the patent office on two additional patents within the next 60 days.
Rambus, based in Los Altos, Calif., did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the case Tuesday morning.
Nvidia shares slipped fell 21 cents to $10.73 in afternoon trading, while Rambus shares fell 19 cents to $13.81.