LEGAL AFFAIRS Patent Infringement? Infineon sues Innoscience

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Infineon Technologies AG today filed a lawsuit, through its subsidiary Infineon Technologies Austria AG, against Innoscience (Zhuhai) Technology Company, Ltd., and Innoscience America, Inc. and affiliates (hereinafter: Innoscience). Infineon is seeking permanent injunction for infringement of a United States patent relating to gallium nitride (GaN) technology owned by Infineon. The patent claims cover core aspects of GaN power semiconductors encompassing innovations that enable the reliability and performance of Infineon’s proprietary GaN devices.

In technology-intensive sectors, such as power electronics, patent disputes are not uncommon. Companies in this sector invest significantly in research and development to create innovative products and technologies. Patents serve as an essential means to protect these investments by granting the holder the exclusive right to use and market the invention. In a highly competitive market, protecting these inventions can be crucial for securing a competitive edge.

Patent disputes in the power electronics sector can involve a wide range of technologies, including semiconductor devices, power transistors, circuit designs, energy management systems, and much more. The increasing complexity of technology and the global interconnection of supply chains can make such disputes even more likely.

Examples like Qualcomm's dispute with Apple and Nvidia's legal battles against Samsung and Qualcomm illustrate how companies in the electronics and technology industry actively use and defend patent rights to protect their innovations and secure their market positions.
In the case of Qualcomm vs. Apple, the issue revolved around patent licenses and costs, with Qualcomm accusing Apple of using its patents, specifically those related to mobile telecommunications technology and smartphone energy efficiency, without adequate payments.

This dispute, which highlighted the critical nature of patent agreements in the development and commercialization of technology, was eventually settled in 2019, resulting in a payment from Apple to Qualcomm. Similarly, Nvidia's lawsuits against Samsung and Qualcomm focused on the alleged infringement of patents related to graphics processing technology, underscoring the importance of intellectual property in the competitive landscape of semiconductor and mobile device technologies. These legal confrontations, often settled out of court, show the significant impact of patent disputes on technological innovation, licensing practices, and the strategic positioning of companies within the global market.

Now, Infineon ist also taking legal action - against the world's largest 8-inch Integrated Device Manufacture (IDM) fully focused on GaN technology

Infineon accuses Innoscience of patent infringement

Infineon alleges that Innoscience infringes the Infineon patent mentioned above by making, using, selling, offering to sell and/or importing into the United States various products, including GaN transistors for numerous applications, within automotive, data centers, solar, motor drives, consumer electronics, and related products used in automotive, industrial, and commercial applications.

“The production of gallium nitride power transistors requires completely new semiconductor designs and processes”, said Adam White, President of Infineon’s Power & Sensor Systems Division. “With nearly two decades of GaN experience, Infineon can guarantee the outstanding quality required for the highest performance in the respective end products. We vigorously protect our intellectual property and thus act in the interest of all customers and end users.” Infineon has been investing in R&D, product development and the manufacturing expertise related to GaN technology for decades. Infineon continues to defend its intellectual property and protect its investments.

On 24 October 2023, Infineon announced the closing of the acquisition of GaN Systems Inc., becoming a leading GaN power house and further expanding its leading position in power semiconductors. Infineon leads the industry with its GaN patent portfolio, comprising around 350 patent families. Market analysts expect the GaN revenue for power applications to grow by 49 % CAGR to approx. US$2 billion by 2028 (source: Yole, Power SiC and GaN Compound Semiconductor Market Monitor Q4 2023). Gallium nitride is a wide bandgap semiconductor with superior switching performance that allows smaller size, higher efficiency and lower-cost power systems. (nk)

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