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Analogix Sues Silicon Image, Inc. for Antitrust Violations
Analogix Semiconductor alleges Silicon Image’s unlawfully controls the HDMI market SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, June 17, 2008 – Analogix Semiconductor, Inc., a manufacturer and innovator of high-performance analog and mixed signal devices for the digital media and communications markets, has sued Silicon Image, Inc. and two of its wholly-owned subsidiaries - HDMI Licensing, LLC, and Simplay Labs, LLC - for violating federal and state antitrust laws and state consumer protection statutes in connection with their control over and access to the HDMI standard and HDMI testing facilities. Analogix filed the lawsuit on June 11, 2008, in federal court in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. In the lawsuit, Analogix seeks injunctive relief and trebled monetary damages to the fullest extent allowed by law. According to the Complaint, Silicon Image has conspired to control the market for certain HDMI products and technologies that transmit digital and audio data between consumer electronic devices. Silicon Image founded the group that defines the elements of the HDMI standard and, as Analogix alleges, has used its position as a founder and manager of the HDMI standard to exclude competitors and increase prices to consumers. As alleged in the Complaint, Silicon Image has manipulated the HDMI standard to provide itself with a head start in the development of each new generation of HDMI products. And as Analogix alleged, Silicon Image’s Chief Executive Officer has boasted during investor calls of the “structural advantage” Silicon Image has over the rest of the industry, which he has claimed gives his company a “six- to 12-month lead in the market.” By exposing Silicon Image’s anticompetitive conduct, Analogix hopes this lawsuit will bring openness and transparency to the HDMI standard-setting process and will give other HDMI solutions manufacturers equal access to new HDMI versions. Analogix’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kewei Yang, commented, “We believe Silicon Image has acted to unlawfully control the HDMI market for its own gain, and to the detriment of consumers, for far too long. The time has come to level the playing field.” About Analogix Semiconductor
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