US Trade Commission Opens NVIDIA Patent Infringement Investigation

Samsung and nVidia have been embroiled in a tit-for-tat legal battle for the better part of 2014, with Samsung opening a counter-suit against nVidia for patent violation. NVidia originally targeted Samsung and Qualcomm for alleged implementation of nVidia-patented GPU technology in mobile devices, demanding that Samsung devices be removed from circulation in the United States. In a counter-suit, Samsung levied its own patents against the GPU giant, making similar demands on trade restrictions.

Among other complaints, Samsung's original counter-suit alleged that nVidia infringed upon technical patents detailing cache control.

The US International Trade Commission just recently announced that it will move forward with an investigation into nVidia's operations. A similar result is expected from the ITC regarding Samsung (stemming from nVidia's own lawsuit against the company).

Nothing will come of this for years yet, but we'd anticipate a settlement of sorts long before any public resolution.

- Steve "Lelldorianx" Burke.