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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteMaxim and Sipex settled their long-running serial-interface patent litigation in May 2003, during the second quarter of that year. The agreement dismissed all pending claims and gave Sipex a license from Maxim covering the “auto-online” functionality used in some serial-interface products. No settlement amount was disclosed in the available filings and contemporaneous reports, and the case ended without a reported trial finding that Sipex infringed the patent.
How the dispute began
Sipex—not Maxim—filed the original case in February 1999 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Sipex sought a declaratory judgment that three of its products did not infringe Maxim patents. Maxim responded with counterclaims alleging that certain Sipex products infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,649,210 and seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages. Sipex’s later filing describes the litigation history and disposition in its 2003 Form 10-K.
What patent and feature were involved?
The central patent was Maxim’s U.S. Patent No. 5,649,210. In a May 24, 2002 claim-construction order, the District of Massachusetts described the patent as covering a communications-interface circuit that detects whether portions of circuitry are connected to a peripheral device and can internally suspend power to unused portions, reducing power consumption. The order is a description of the patent and the parties’ claim-construction positions, not a final infringement or validity ruling. The order is available at IPMall.
“Serial interface” refers broadly to integrated circuits that connect digital systems with peripherals over serial communications links. The settlement reports and Sipex filing identify the licensed feature as “auto-online.” The available sources do not list every affected part number or establish that the feature appeared in all products in either company’s serial-interface catalogs.
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Timeline of the case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 1999 | Sipex filed its declaratory-judgment action in the District of Massachusetts. |
| May 24, 2002 | The court issued a claim-construction order concerning the ’210 patent. |
| Second quarter of 2003 | Sipex’s Form 10-K says the parties reached a settlement. |
| May 2003 | Contemporaneous trade reports announced the settlement. Versions are dated May 23 and May 27; the difference appears to be publication or update timing, not two settlements. |
| March 8, 2004 | Sipex’s Form 10-K reported that no material legal proceedings were pending and described the settlement as completed. |
What the settlement did
Dismissal of the litigation
Maxim and Sipex agreed to dismiss all pending legal claims in all jurisdictions. That resolved both Sipex’s declaratory action and Maxim’s infringement counterclaims.
License to Sipex
Maxim granted Sipex a license covering the “auto-online” functionality. A license permits specified use; it does not transfer ownership of the ’210 patent. The sources do not state whether the license was exclusive, disclose its royalty terms, or describe a broader cross-license.
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No reported merits judgment
The available record supports a negotiated settlement, not a court judgment that Sipex infringed. It also does not establish that Maxim conceded the patent was invalid or abandoned it. Dismissal and licensing ended the dispute without resolving those merits questions in a reported trial verdict.
Was money paid?
No dollar amount is stated in the located contemporaneous coverage or Sipex’s cited filing. A May 2003 EDN report said Sipex had reserved the cost over the preceding two quarters and expected no material effect on its financial results. That statement indicates a settlement-related cost or reserve, but it does not establish the amount, payment schedule, royalty rate, or whether consideration consisted solely of cash. It was Sipex’s expectation, not an independently verified later financial result.
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A contemporaneous version dated May 23 is available from EE Times. Neither report supplies a settlement figure.
What each company received
Sipex
- A license from Maxim for the identified “auto-online” functionality.
- Removal of the immediate litigation risk created by the pending claims.
The record does not show that Sipex received ownership of the patent, a license for every interface product, or a publicly disclosed cash payment.
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- HiLetgo IIC I2C Serial Interface Module
- Supply Voltage :2.5-6V
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- PCB Color: Black
Maxim
The sources do not identify a separate affirmative payment or other benefit for Maxim. They show that Maxim’s counterclaims were resolved through the settlement and dismissal of all pending claims. No source establishes a concession on patent validity or infringement.
What remains unknown
- The settlement amount and any payment schedule.
- Any royalty rate or other financial consideration.
- The exact Sipex products covered by the license.
- Whether the license was exclusive or nonexclusive.
- Whether either company made admissions about infringement or patent validity.
Bottom line
“Maxim, Sipex settle serial interface suit” describes a 2003 patent-litigation settlement, not a product recall, merger, or reported damages award. Sipex had initiated a declaratory-judgment case; Maxim had counterclaimed under the ’210 patent. The parties dismissed all claims, and Maxim licensed Sipex to use the “auto-online” functionality in some serial-interface products. Because no merits judgment or settlement amount was reported, the agreement should not be characterized as proof that either side won the infringement dispute.
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