US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found Rambus guilty of destruction of certain documents in 1998. These documents could reportedly shed some light on unfair competition Rambus is accused by FTC. Because of the improper document destruction, Administrative Law Judge James Timony ruled that Rambus will have the burden of proving its innocence on some key allegations that the company improperly patented chip technologies, according to Reuters.

In case FTC proves that the destroyed documents had direct relation to the ongoing litigation, Rambus will be found guilty of unfair competition by not disclosing its patents during JEDEC meetings in early nineties. If the latter is proven, memory makers will cease to pay DRAM royalties to Rambus.

FTC will continue its investigation on possible unfair competition.

Rambus shares were climbing from$3.79 on June 20, 2002 to $15.43 on Mach 4, 2003. Yesterday they fell more than 20% to $12.31. Well, the world’s largest lottery is now in action again.

See also:

- Rambus Won Infineon Appeal. No Royalties, but also No Fines
- Rambus Reports Profit Gains Amid Pressure in Court. What Will Happen to Rambus?