AI & Datacenter
DRAM
Overview
Program Information
License Fees
Licensors
Essentiality Overview
FAQ
The Industry's First
Collaborative Licensing
Solution for AI and the Datacenter
AI represents one of the most rapidly growing new technology frontiers the world has ever seen, and the demand for robust AI infrastructure supporting the datacenter is growing exponentially. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), one of the critical components of modern computer architecture, currently represents the greatest memory bottleneck for AI infrastructure.
In this rapidly evolving space, companies are looking to monetize their innovations and leverage critical memory technologies for their products and businesses.
Now, for the first time, companies relying on these technologies can efficiently access the IP rights they need to implement their products and services through a single license from Via's DRAM Memory patent pool.
Seize the datacenter opportunity. Let's talk.
Via Licensing Alliance’s DRAM Patent Licensing Program provides access to essential patent rights for industry-standard Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) technologies implemented in servers.
Modern servers rely on standardized DRAM technologies to provide the memory capacity, bandwidth, reliability, and interoperability necessary for cloud computing, enterprise workloads, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The DRAM Patent License Agreement offers a streamlined licensing solution for organizations operating servers that implement covered DRAM standards.
Through a single agreement, licensees obtain access to essential patent rights from multiple participating patent owners, reducing the complexity and transaction costs associated with separate licensing discussions.
The framework for the DRAM program is based on fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory, and transparent licensing principles. Via administers the program to provide an efficient licensing pathway for both patent owners and providers of data center services and server-based computing infrastructure.
DRAM technologies standardized through JEDEC—including DDR, LPDDR, GDDR, HBM, and successor standards—have become foundational technologies for modern data center infrastructure. As AI and cloud computing continue to expand, DRAM remains a critical component enabling the operation of memory-intensive server workloads.
The DRAM Patent License Agreement establishes a royalty structure applicable to covered servers that implement standardized DRAM technologies.
Royalty Structure
The royalty structure is designed to provide predictability and transparency for server operators while recognizing the value contributed by participating patent owners.
| Server Using Memory Type | License Rate |
| Non-HBM | $0.005 per hour per Non-HBM Type Server Processing Unit |
| HBM | $0.020 per hour per HBM-Type Server Processing Unit |
HBM refers to a high-bandwidth memory integrated circuit, comprising a packaged, vertical stack of DRAM connected by through-silicon vias.
Non-HBM refers to memory that otherwise does not fall under the HBM definition and does not use the HBM architecture. Non-HBM examples include DDR, GDDR, and LPDDR modules that sit on the motherboard.
Licensable Products
Licensable Products include servers that implement one or more covered DRAM standards.
Each licensable Server includes one or more Server Processing Units, DRAM, and a DRAM Controller that manages server resources and provides data services and functionality to client (or other) computers, devices, systems or network endpoints, connected through a network. Examples of a Server Processing Unit may include a CPU, GPU, TPU, or NPU.
Examples may include:
- AI training servers
- AI inference servers
- Cloud computing servers
- Enterprise servers
- High-performance computing systems
- Storage servers
- Edge computing servers
For more information on the licensors of Via’s DRAM program, please reach out to programmanagement@via-la.com.
Program Information
Via Licensing Alliance’s DRAM Patent Licensing Program provides access to essential patent rights for industry-standard Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) technologies implemented in servers.
Modern servers rely on standardized DRAM technologies to provide the memory capacity, bandwidth, reliability, and interoperability necessary for cloud computing, enterprise workloads, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The DRAM Patent License Agreement offers a streamlined licensing solution for organizations operating servers that implement covered DRAM standards.
Through a single agreement, licensees obtain access to essential patent rights from multiple participating patent owners, reducing the complexity and transaction costs associated with separate licensing discussions.
The framework for the DRAM program is based on fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory, and transparent licensing principles. Via administers the program to provide an efficient licensing pathway for both patent owners and providers of data center services and server-based computing infrastructure.
DRAM technologies standardized through JEDEC—including DDR, LPDDR, GDDR, HBM, and successor standards—have become foundational technologies for modern data center infrastructure. As AI and cloud computing continue to expand, DRAM remains a critical component enabling the operation of memory-intensive server workloads.
What does the DRAM Patent License Agreement cover?
The DRAM Patent License Agreement provides access to patent claims determined to be essential to covered DRAM standards implemented in servers.
What does “essential” mean?
An essential patent claim is necessarily infringed by implementing a mandatory portion of a covered DRAM standard.
The program focuses on patents essential to the operation of standardized DRAM technologies within servers. Patents are evaluated pursuant to the program’s essentiality evaluation procedures before being included in the portfolio.
Who should obtain a license?
Organizations that operate servers implementing covered DRAM standards (including providers of data center services and server-based computing infrastructure) may benefit from obtaining a license under the program.
What is a licensable product under this program?
Licensable products means servers operated in countries where there are licensable patent claims.
Does the program cover AI servers?
Yes. AI training servers, AI inference servers, accelerated computing platforms, and other server systems implementing covered DRAM standards may fall within the scope of the program.
How do I obtain a license?
Please contact Via Licensing Alliance at info@via-la.com for information regarding licensing terms, royalty rates, and participating in the DRAM Patent License Agreement.
To obtain a license or for additional information, please contact info@via-la.com.
Please contact Via at ProgramManagement@via-la.com to request a copy of the submission procedures and the terms and conditions governing the submission of patents for the DRAM Licensing Program.
Covered Standards
The DRAM Patent License Agreement covers patents determined to be essential to the implementation of one or more covered DRAM standards as used in servers.
Covered standards include:
- JESD79-3F (DDR3 SDRAM Standard)
- JESD79-4D (DDR4 SDRAM)
- JESD79-5C.01 (DDR5 SDRAM)
- JESD209-4E (Low Power Double Data Rate 4 (LPDDR4))
- JESD209-4 (Addendum No. 1 to JESD209-4 Low Power Double Data Rate 4 (LPDDR4X))
- JESD209-5C (Low Power Double Data Rate (LPDDR) 5/5X)
- JESD209-6 (LPDDR6 Standard)
- 01 (Graphics Double Data Rate (GDDR5) SGRAM Standard)
- 01 (Graphics Double Data Rate (GDDR5X) SGRAM Standard)
- JESD250D (Graphics Double Data Rate (GDDR6) SGRAM Standard)
- JESD239C (Graphics Double Data Rate 7 SGRAM Standard (GDDR7))
- JESD235D (High Bandwidth Memory DRAM (HBM1, HBM2))
- 01 (High Bandwidth Memory (HBM3) DRAM
- JESD270-4 (High Bandwidth Memory (HBM4) DRAM