Susman Godfrey and Heim Payne & Chorush Obtain Further Relief for UniRAM in Trade Secret Trial Against TSMC; $30.5 Million Jury Verdict Likely to Grow to $36 Million Judgment

SAN FRANCISCO, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 17, 2008, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California granted the motion of UniRAM Technology, Inc., to enter judgment in its favor following the September 2007 jury trial between UniRAM and the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC). At that jury trial, UniRAM, a former TSMC customer, alleged that TSMC had misappropriated its trade secrets and violated the terms of non-disclosure agreements the companies had entered into. The jury found unanimously that TSMC had stolen UniRAM's trade secrets, had violated the terms of its nondisclosure agreements, and should pay UniRAM $30.5 million in damages.

Following that jury verdict, UniRAM moved for entry of judgment. In granting the motion yesterday, Chief Judge Walker cited "substantial evidence that TSMC suffered from a general breakdown in confidentiality protocol."

Judge Walker furthermore ordered that TSMC be responsible for pre-judgment interest on certain portions of the jury's verdict. Max Tribble of Susman Godfrey, Lead Trial Counsel for UniRAM in this case, said that he expects that pre-judgment interest to exceed $5 million, bringing UniRAM's judgment against TSMC to approximately $36 million.

Judge Walker also granted UniRAM's motion for injunctive relief, ordering that TSMC "be prohibited" from disclosing UniRAM trade secrets and that TSMC pay UniRAM a running royalty on certain of its future product sales.

Yesterday's Order comes on the heels of another recent victory by UniRAM and its trial counsel over TSMC. Earlier this week, on April 14, 2008, Chief Judge Walker denied TSMC's counterclaim against UniRAM on an "inequitable conduct" patent issue. He cited evidence that TSMC's continued pursuit of its counterclaim against UniRAM "was not in good faith," and stated that "circumstantial evidence suggests that TSMC brought this counterclaim ... because it wanted to intimidate UniRAM."

Representing UniRAM in this litigation against TSMC were Max Tribble, Joseph Grinstein, and Jay Neukom with Susman Godfrey L.L.P., and Mike Heim and Russ Chorush with Heim, Payne & Chorush, LLP.

CONTACT: Susman Godfrey L.L.P.
Max L. Tribble, Jr.
(713) 653-7820
mtribble@susmangodfrey.com

About Susman Godfrey L.L.P.

Susman Godfrey L.L.P., a law firm with more than 80 lawyers, was recently named one of the top litigation boutiques in the country by The American Lawyer. The firm represents plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of commercial litigation matters, including antitrust, patent and intellectual property, securities and corporate governance litigation, energy, commercial and products liability, bankruptcy and financial restructuring, accounting malpractice, arbitration, climate change, and international litigation. The firm has offices in Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York. For additional information, visit http://www.susmangodfrey.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Susman Godfrey L.L.P.

CONTACT: Max L. Tribble, Jr. of Susman Godfrey L.L.P., +1-713-653-7820,
mtribble@susmangodfrey.com

2008-04-18 17:51:24 0339911 PRNEWSWIRE