Innoscience’s Response to Infineon’s GaN Lawsuits in Europe

After initiating a lawsuit in the US in March 2024 against Innoscience for allegedly infringing on a patent related to gallium nitride (GaN) technology, Infineon has taken further legal action by filing similar lawsuits in the Munich District Court in Germany. The Munich court responded by issuing a preliminary injunction that permitted Innoscience to showcase products accused of infringement at the PCIM Europe 2024 exhibition in Nuremberg.

Innoscience, in its defense, has highlighted that the injunction was granted "ex parte," indicating that the company was not given the opportunity to present its side or contest the injunction. Moreover, Innoscience contends that the patent mentioned in the injunction pertains specifically to the packaging of GaN transistors rather than the core technology of GaN power semiconductors as claimed by Infineon. This distinction, according to Innoscience, should allow the company to continue selling GaN wafers without infringement.

Responding to the legal developments, Innoscience has clarified that the injunction's scope is limited to the PCIM tradeshow and does not restrict its ability to manufacture, use, distribute, offer for sale, or import its advanced GaN products in Germany for customers outside the exhibition. This assertion aims to reassure stakeholders and customers about the continuity of business operations despite the ongoing legal dispute.

Meanwhile, Infineon has expanded its legal actions by filing additional patent infringement claims against Innoscience. Although these claims are significant, they only cover a portion of Innoscience's GaN transistor product range in the 650V to 700V category. In response, Innoscience has refuted Infineon's allegations, labeling them as baseless, and expressed its intention to vigorously defend itself in the Munich Court while holding Infineon accountable for its actions.

As the legal battle between Infineon and Innoscience unfolds, both companies are gearing up for a protracted dispute over GaN patents. With implications for the semiconductor industry and technological innovation, the outcome of this legal confrontation could shape the competitive landscape in the GaN market. Stakeholders and industry observers are closely monitoring the developments to gauge the potential impact on future product offerings and market dynamics.