Archer Materials Ltd (ASX:AXE, OTC:ARRXF) has reached a commercial milestone with the granting of a patent protecting its 12CQ chip in South Korea – an economy with a world-leading semiconductor industry.
The patent is a significant validation of the technology’s industrial and technical global competitive advantage.
12CQ patents are now granted in Japan and South Korea, with patent applications in China, the US and Europe progressing.
Archer is the only ASX-listed company and one of a few players in the world developing a qubit processor chip in the semiconductor industry.
Patent portfolio
Archer chief executive officer Dr Mohammad Choucair said: “Archer’s quantum computing chip IP is now well protected in South Korea – home to some of the world’s largest chipmakers, and a critical part of the global semiconductor supply chain.
“We now have 12CQ chip patents granted in Japan and South Korea, with patent applications in the US, China, and Europe progressing well.
“To realise the full commercial benefits of the 12CQ technology globally, Archer’s IP strategy includes patent protection in Asia, and especially, South Korea.
“This is because South Korea’s semiconductor industry is one of the world’s best, while Asia as a whole dominates in semiconductor manufacturing, where close to 80% of all chips are produced.
“The global economy’s transformation includes the semiconductor industry becoming key to almost all industrial areas.
Archer is ensuring its participation in this transformation, with Archer being one of few companies in the world with a patent portfolio protecting quantum computing chip technology.”
Commercial milestone
The KR Patent (No.10-2288974) is a commercial milestone in the development of the 12CQ chip and in the company’s efforts to access global markets.
South Korea is a major global manufacturer and exporter of semiconductor chip devices, with its conglomerates, Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix, among the top producers of semiconductors in the world.
The KR Patent application successfully underwent substantive examination procedures by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which has over 1 million patents in force.
South Korea has the highest number of patents per unit of GDP and the country files patents most heavily in electronic equipment, which is top-ranked globally and computing technology.
Together with the US and China, South Korea is one of the most competitive jurisdictions for patent granting.
Patent protection in South Korea is required for any future commercial operations in the country and provides Archer with access to a top 5 innovation economy to exploit IP rights related to the 12CQ chip with a duration of patent right up until Dec 2036.