Taking cognizance of a complaint filed by Pennsylvania-based BTG International in July, the U.S. International Trade Commission has announced it will launch a probe into the use of Samsung Nand flash-memory chips in gadgets from Apple, RIM, Sony, etc. BTG International claims that certain Samsung Nand flash-memory chips found in a host of consumer electronics devices, including the iPhone, iPod, MacBook Air, Blackberry Storm, and various Sony camcorders, infringe on five out of its patents. The said patents relate to the storage of multiple bits of information per cell, which appreciably increases the storage capacity of flash memory while keeping it inexpensive. BTG is praying for a ban on the import of all devices containing the Samsung chips at issue.

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