Taipei, March 27, 2008 (CENS)--ProMOS Technologies Inc. will likely acquire 54nm process technology from Hynix Semiconductor by the end of next quarter as Hynix is said to have received South Korean government`s permission on condition the chip-making technology is to be passed on to the Taiwanese strategic partner.

Ben Tseng, ProMOS` spokesman and vice president for sales and marketing, has declined to comment on the reports, simply saying his company has begun talking with Hynix about such transfer.

The South Korean government prohibits South Korean chipmakers from transferring leading-edge technologies to overseas partners and subsidiaries, which forces Hynix to limit its cooperation with ProMOS to co-developing 70nm and 80nm processes.

Industry watchers report that the newly elected South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak, has agreed on condition the technology to be transferred in light of intensifying competition challenge against South Korean chipmakers after Micron Technology recently announced it will transfer 68nm and sub-50nm processes to Nanya Technology Corp. as part of the two companies` cooperation deal.

People familiar with Hynix-Nanya collaboration pointed out that the two companies originally planned to work on 66nm process last year. However, export restriction shuttered the window of opportunity, making 66nm technology not as valuable today as it was last year. The two companies have changed the topic to 54nm process.

ProMOS is expected to sign to acquire Hynix`s 54nm process late next quarter and will start to use the leading-edge chip-making process at its 300mm wafer fabs late this year or early next year.

(by Ken Liu)