IQE sues Tower Semiconductor over trade secret allegations

Semiconductor wafer and materials supplier IQE has filed a lawsuit against Tower Semiconductor, it announced on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm claimed it had “significant evidence” that Tower misappropriated its trade secrets “to unlawfully obtain patents” on IQE's technology.

It said the claims related to IQE's proprietary porous silicon technology, which would underpin devices used in 5G and advanced sensing applications.

IQE filed its complaint in the US Federal Court in California under both federal and California state law around the misappropriation of trade secrets, correction of inventorship, breach of contract, unfair competition, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.

“We brought about these claims as we have significant reason to believe that Tower has misappropriated IQE's proprietary trade secrets for its own benefit,” said IQE’s general counsel and company secretary Tom Dale.

“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.”

Reporting by Josh White at Sharecast.com.