Samsung Electronics, the world's biggest memory chipmaker, said on Monday it had signed a cross licence deal on semiconductors with Japan's Toshiba.

Samsung Electronics has developed the world's first 32GB DDR3 module for use in server systems. The new module operates at 1.35-volts, in support of the global trend to cut power usage in mass storage computing environments.

Hynix Semiconductor's contract prices for DRAM chips will likely continue to rise at least until the third quarter, a person familiar with the situation said Friday.

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC), China's biggest chipmaker, said recently that the country's demand for its products is recovering with orders in the third quarter expected to be better than in the second.

Elpida Memory is still considering applying for a public funds injection, a company spokeswoman said Friday.

China, which has criticized protectionist moves elsewhere, is pushing ahead with efforts to ensure that its gargantuan economic stimulus package benefits domestic firms.

President Barack Obama has faced new concerns among the American public about the budget deficit and government intervention in the economy as he works to enact ambitious health and energy legislation, a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds.