Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc.(AMEC) announced today that it has prevailed again in patent litigation filed against AMEC subsidiaries by Lam Research Corporation(LAM) in Taiwan.
Two judgments were rendered, from judicial forums of the highest level in Taiwan.
The first involves LAM's allegation that AMEC infringes TW Patent I36706 (confinement ring). On July 11, the Taiwanese Supreme Court dismissed, finally and without recourse of further appeal, LAM's second appeal of an earlier ruling in favor of AMEC by the Intellectual Property Court of Taiwan (IP Court). This concludes all possible litigation on the subject matter covered by this Taiwanese patent, with AMEC prevailing at every step in the lengthy judicial process.
The second judgment ends an infringement dispute over another patent, TW Patent 126873 (focus ring). On June 21, Taiwan's Administrative Supreme Court dismissed LAM's appeal against invalidation decisions previously rendered by Taiwan's Intellectual Property Office (TIPO). In affirming the earlier judgments, the Administrative Supreme Court agreed with AMEC's original assertion that LAM's patent is invalid because the claims lack novelty and non-obviousness. As such, they could not form the basis of an infringement claim against AMEC. The decision is final and may not be appealed.
About Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. (AMEC)
AMEC provides advanced micro-fabrication equipment to global semiconductor manufacturers and leading companies in adjacent high-tech sectors. Customers use our etch technology to build the complex devices that power today's electronics and other products. Our advanced systems deliver the optimum combination of technology innovations and productivity for the 65/45/32/28/22nm process nodes and beyond. We're Asia-based with headquarters in China. We also maintain R&D, manufacturing, business and support operations in Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. To learn more, please visit www.amec-inc.com.