Toshiba is the world's second-largest maker of NAND flash memory chips, widely used in portable devices such as digital cameras, portable music players, and photo phones. Samsung Electronics is NANDo numero uno.

Back in 2002, Lexar accused Toshiba of breaking an agreement to co-develop the disputed technology, and sharing it with SanDisk, Lexar's largest competitor. Lexar's suit against Toshiba accused trade secret theft, unfair competition, and breach of fiduciary duty. In October 2005, Lexar was awarded $465 million in damages, reversed on appeal. The finding of trade secret theft was not, however, overturned, so Toshiba was still under the gun.

In May of this year, Lexar took its patent infringement grief to the ITC, seeking a permanent injunction against Toshiba for all its NAND memory products.

Then, in June, Micron acquired Lexar for $288 million.

Under the terms of the deal, Toshiba buys some patents and licenses others.

A Toshiba spokesman bowed with appreciation. Micron chairman Steve Appleton graciously said, "We... have the highest respect for Toshiba." Which is to say, nice settlement figure.