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GlobalFoundries Sues Tower Semiconductor Over 11 Patents, Seeks U.S. Import Ban

The filings pursue ITC exclusion orders to block chips that allegedly use GF process technology.

A screen displays the company logo for semiconductor and chipmaker GlobalFoundries Inc. during the company's IPO at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square in New York City, U.S., October 28, 2021.  REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Overview

  • GlobalFoundries filed complaints with the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas alleging patent infringement.
  • The company says Tower used GF’s process technologies without a license, asserting violations of 11 U.S. patents covering high-performance chip manufacturing.
  • The accused technologies support chips for smart phones, cars, aerospace systems, and communications gear, according to GF.
  • GF seeks an ITC order to block U.S. imports and sales of the disputed chips and asks the court for damages tied to lost profits.
  • An exclusion order would halt affected shipments at U.S. ports, which could disrupt buyers that rely on Tower-made parts, and Tower’s response was not included in GF’s release.