Semiconductor manufacturer Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC, ETR:INL) has secured a significant ruling from the UK High Court in a complex piece of global litigation between rival R2 Semiconductor.
R2 accused Intel of infringing on a patent owned by R2 relating to fully integrated voltage regulators, or FIVRs, that help to prevent voltage spikes in computer chips.
But Intel countersued in an attempt to invalidate R2’s patent, with Judge Hacon today granting Intel’s wishes.
Judge Hacon concluded that the patented invention by R2 lacked ‘inventive step’, which means it was an obvious evolution of the technology rather than a novel invention.
The stakes were high for Intel, as it would have hurt the company’s ability to market its products at a time of unprecedented demand for silicon chips.
However, as a global dispute, Intel is not out of the woodwork.
German courts ruled against Intel in February, agreeing that R2’s patent is valid. Intel is currently appealing the ruling.
Today’s judgement, case number HP-2022-000031, was handed down remotely.
Intel shares bounced 1.6% higher when US markets opened.