"The Rambus claims are so broad they will have to be decided in court, " says Bob Merritt, an analyst at Semico Research, a Scottsdale, Ariz.

FORBES: Rambus Patent Army Marches On

"These manufacturers would rather not have to send a truck to your home if something goes wrong with their product, " says Tony Massimini , an analyst with Semico Research in Scottsdale, Ariz.

FORBES: Magazine Article

In 2000 and 2001, as the industry switched to 12-inch wafers from 8-inch ones and to processors with features 0.13 microns (130 nanometers) wide from 0.18 microns, chipmakers were hobbled by delays, says Joanne Itow, managing director of manufacturing research at Semico Research.

FORBES: Stimulating Technology