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(Alliance News) - IQE PLC on Monday said it has filed a lawsuit against Israel-based semiconductor company Tower Semiconductor Ltd to protect its intellectual property.
IQE is a Cardiff, Wales-based supplier of compound semiconductor wafer products and advanced material solutions.
"IQE has significant evidence that Tower misappropriated IQE's trade secrets to unlawfully obtain patents on IQE's technology. These claims relate to IQE's proprietary porous silicon technology which would underpin devices used in 5G and advanced sensing applications," the company said.
IQE filed its complaint in the US Federal Court in California under Federal and California 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.
General Counsel & Company Secretary Tom Dale said: "Our technology, processes and intellectual property are vital in underpinning IQE's products and solutions and in maintaining our market-leading position in advanced semiconductor materials. We will vigorously protect them and will provide further updates as material developments occur."
Shares in IQE were down 4.0% to 38.58 pence each in London on Monday morning.
By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com
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