IQE Files IP Lawsuit Against Tower Semiconductor

IQE filed a lawsuit against Tower Semiconductor, alleging theft of intellectual property. A press release from IQE stated it has “significant evidence that Tower misappropriated IQE’s trade secrets to unlawfully obtain patents on IQE’s technology.” The claims relate to IQE’s porous silicon technology intended for use in 5G devices and advanced sensing applications.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. federal court in California under federal and state law in relation to the misappropriation of trade secrets, correction of inventorship, breach of contract, unfair competition, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.

Tower Semiconductor was recently acquired by Intel for $5.4 billion. The company develops and manufactures semiconductor technologies used in imaging, data communications, automotive, computation, power management, and other areas.

IQE is a developer and manufacturer of wafer technology, including VCSELs, 3D and infrared image sensors, and material technologies, including silicon and Group IV, dilute and advanced nitrides, photonic quasi-crystals, and crystalline rare earth oxides.