Micrel and Monolithic Power Settle Patent Suit for $3 Million

Analog semiconductor supplier Micrel Inc. and power management product company Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) Inc. have settled a patent infringement suit that Micrel filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

In the settlement, Micrel agreed to license U.S. Patent Nos. 5,517,046 and 5,556,796 to Monolithic Power Systems, with both companies dismissing all claims and counterclaims in the litigation. The patents and trade secrets relate to semiconductor manufacturing and design elements.

MPS agreed to pay $3 million to Micrel. As part of the settlement, Micrel also agreed to release MPS Chief Executive Michael Hsing and its Chief Design Engineer Jim Moyer from all claims for any alleged trade secret claims based on confidential information.