FinFET transistor technology has been fundamental to Intel processors since 2011, and is used in virtually every instance the company sells. Since 2018, however, Intel has been embroiled in a patent infringement litigation in China. One government research laboratory claims that the American manufacturer is infringing on its FinFET patent. The Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMECAS) filed a lawsuit against Intel in the PRC Supreme People’s Court in Beijing in 2018, seeking damages of 200 million yuan (approximately $ 31 million), as well as legal costs. The plaintiff is also seeking a ban on the sale of Intel Core series processors used in consumer products – at least until a licensing agreement is concluded. In defense of its position, Intel has repeatedly tried to invalidate the patent, but already the sixth hearing in the China Patent Reexamination Commission ended in refusal. This was preceded by a long series of attempts to move the case from a Chinese authority to a supposedly more company-friendly US Patent and Trademark Office. However, the US department refused to listen to the case, leaving it to its Chinese colleagues. Intel began using FinFET technology with the debut of the 22nm Ivy Bridge processor family in 2011 and has not abandoned this solution to this day. The IMECAS Institute tried to strengthen its position, accusing Intel of infringement of two more patents: the first affects the production and sale of Core i3 processors, the second is related to the technology of field-effect transistors. These cases are also subject to injunctions and reimbursement of costs. Intel will try every opportunity to settle the matter, being an experienced player in patent law, but IMECAS has an advantage as it fights on its territory. In addition, the institute has registered over 5,000 patents in China and 500 in other countries, with 1505 patents related to integrated circuit technology – the organization also has extensive experience in patent law. Challenging the validity of a patent is one of the first steps in the pre-trial settlement of a dispute, but if all attempts are exhausted, the parties will have to meet in court. Intel’s legal department is constantly on the move as the company is embroiled in a series of lawsuits with VLSI, which has also filed patent infringement charges. The plaintiff has already secured a recovery of $ 2.18 billion, but lost in another case. The entire series of processes could cost Intel up to $ 11 billion if the manufacturer loses in all states. In addition, the company has to respond to other claims, including those related to the Meltdown and Specter vulnerabilities, as well as the delay in the transition to the 7nm process technology. If you notice an error, select it with the mouse and press CTRL + ENTER.
