UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

April 30, 2012

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1– 10079   94-2885898

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

198 Champion Court

San Jose, California 95134-1599

(Address of principal executive offices)

(408) 943-2600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On April 30, 2012, we entered into a Patent License Agreement (“PLA”) with IV Global Licensing LLC (“IV”) under which we and our majority-owned subsidiaries will receive a license to IV’s substantial patent portfolio. This transaction will allow us and IV to continue to develop our strategic relationship regarding patent monetization and litigation defense. Under the terms of the PLA, we have agreed to pay a license fee and to purchase certain litigation defense services from IV in the future. In addition, in a related agreement, IV is expected to make certain patent purchases from us in the near term. The exact terms and conditions of the PLA are subject to confidentiality provisions, and are the subject of an application for confidential treatment to be filed with the SEC.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Date: May 4, 2012     By:  

/s/ Brad W. Buss

      Brad W. Buss
     

Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President,

Finance and Administration