Chip designer Rambus to buy Cryptography Research (for $342.5 million

US-based chip designer Rambus is buying privately-held Cryptography Research (CRI), a security technology company, for $342.5 million in a cash and stock deal.

Sunnyvale, California-based Rambus plans to acquire CRI for around $342.5 million, comprising of $167.5 million in cash, around 6.4 million shares of Rambus stock, and $50 million payable to CRI employees in cash or stock over three years.

Founded in 1990, Rambus is one of the world's leading technology licensing companies. It  licenses both its patent portfolio, as well as industry-standard solutions.

The acquisition will expand Rambus' technologies available for licensing with complementary technologies from CRI that include patented innovations and solutions for content protection, network security, anti-counterfeiting and financial services. 

Founded in 1995 by internationally renowned cryptographer Paul Kocher, San Francisco-based CRI specialises in applied cryptographic engineering, including technologies for building tamper-resistant chips that are used for complex data security problems, with a focus on helping industries eliminate fraud, piracy, counterfeiting, and other forms of abuse.

Cri develops and licenses innovative technologies in areas including tamper resistance, content protection, network security, and financial services. Over five billion semiconductor products secured by CRI's technology are made under license annually.