Qimonda AG, a subsidiary of Infineon Technologies AG, and Japan’s Elpida Memory Inc said they have signed the final contracts for their strategic partnership, under which they will jointly develop 40-nanometre memory chips, the companies said. Launches of 40-nanometre products will start in 2010 the company said in a statement. Elpida and Qimonda will align their development activities at their respective sites in Hiroshima and Dresden, including the exchange of engineers.
Additionally, the companies have agreed to explore joint development opportunities in the areas of Through Silicon Via Technology and future memories as well as potential manufacturing joint ventures opportunities. Both companies have also established a broad cross licensing of Intellectual Property which allows both companies to operate with complete design freedom in developing products and technology.