The USA to investigate Samsung, TSMC, Qualcomm
The USA is launching investigations into Samsung, TSMC, and Qualcomm following patent infringement allegations involving semiconductors and integrated circuits used in imported devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
The US International Trade Commission (USITC) revealed it would open investigations into divisions of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Samsung Electronics, and Qualcomm on allegations of patent infringement.
USITC will investigate allegations made by the complainant, Daedalus Prime, asserting its patents for semiconductors and integrated circuits had been infringed in components and mobile devices imported into the USA.
According to the USITC’s investigation, the patent infringement claims cover chips manufactured by Samsung using its 14nm and smaller process nodes and by TSMC using its 16nm and smaller process nodes. The investigation will include mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
In contrast, Qualcomm has been named in a separate patent infringement filed by the same company.