TSMC and GlobalFoundries' mutual patent infringement case came to a successful conclusion. The two parties reached a global patent cross-licensing agreement on existing and patents for semiconductor technology that will be applied for in the next 10 years.
TSMC announced today that the patent cross-licensing agreement between the two parties will ensure that the operations of TSMC and GlobalFoundries are not restricted, and customers of both parties can continue to obtain the complete technologies and services of the two companies.
GF CEO Thomas Caulfield said that he was very pleased to reach an agreement with TSMC so quickly. This agreement recognized the strength of both parties’ intellectual property and enabled the two companies to focus on innovation and serve their respective global customers. provide better service.
Kleinfeld said that the agreement also ensures GlobalFoundries' ability to continue to grow. For the semiconductor industry, which is the core of the global economy, it is also conducive to the successful development of the entire industry.
TSMC Deputy General Manager and Chief of Legal Affairs Fang Shuhua said that competition in the semiconductor industry has always been fierce, driving industry players to pursue technological innovation to enrich the lives of millions of people around the world.
TSMC has invested tens of billions of dollars in technological innovation to achieve today's leadership position. Fang Shuhua said that this agreement is a very welcome positive development, which enables TSMC to continue to be committed to meeting the technical needs of customers, maintaining innovation vitality, and making the entire semiconductor industry more prosperous.
GlobalFoundries filed suit against TSMC on August 26 with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the Delaware Branch of the U.S. Federal Court, the Western District of Texas Branch, and the Dusseldorf District Court and the Mannheim District Court of Germany respectively. The company's semiconductor manufacturing technology infringed on 16 of its patents, sparking a lawsuit between the two parties.
Not to be outdone, TSMC launched a counterattack on September 30, suing GlobalFoundries in the United States, Germany and Singapore for infringing 25 patents covering 40nm, 28nm, 22nm, 14nm and 12nm processes.
On August 26 this year, GF accused TSMC in many places in the United States and Germany of infringing on 16 GF patents, and requested the U.S. Trade Commission (ITC) to implement an import ban to prevent major customers and downstream electronics companies using TSMC technology. Products are imported to the United States and Germany.
TSMC stated that it is convinced that its infringement accusation is unfounded and is disappointed that its peers do not compete in the market with technology and resort to baseless legal proceedings. Will fight back in every possible way. One month after
was sued by GlobalFoundries for patent infringement, on October 1, TSMC announced that the company had filed multiple legal actions against GlobalFoundries in the United States, Germany and Singapore on September 30, 2019, accusing GlobalFoundries. Infringes 25 patents of TSMC's 40nm, 28nm, 22nm, 14nm, and 12nm processes.
TSMC said it requested the court to issue an injunction to prohibit GlobalFoundries from producing and selling infringing semiconductor products. It also proposed to seek substantial damages against GlobalFoundries for illegally using the company's semiconductor patented technology and selling infringing products. However, TSMC did not disclose the specific amount of compensation.
TSMC Deputy General Manager Fang Shuhua said that this legal action is to protect our reputation, huge investment, nearly 500 customers, and consumers around the world, to ensure that everyone can benefit from smartphones, 5G, artificial intelligence The most advanced semiconductor technology for smart, IoT and other applications.
Regarding this lawsuit, Tim Breen, executive vice president of strategy and business transformation of GF GlobalFoundries, said in an interview recently, "IP intellectual property rights are crucial in the semiconductor industry. We will take this lawsuit seriously and hope that TSMC can respond accordingly." ."
