Texas Jury Rules in Favor of Samsung Electronics in $4 Billion Semiconductor Patent Case

Samsung Electronics is expected to win a semiconductor patent infringement battle against a U.S. patent giant. The jury gave the company a verdict that it did not infringe on the patent.

According to industry sources on the 19th, the Western Texas District Court jury ruled on the 15th (local time) that Samsung Electronics did not infringe on Demaray LLC’s semiconductor patent. The validity of the two disputed patents (patent numbers 7544276 and 7381657) has not been determined.

With this verdict, Samsung Electronics has essentially won in the first instance. Demaray sued Samsung Electronics in July 2020. Samsung Electronics America (SEA), Samsung Semiconductor Inc (SSI), and Samsung Austin Semiconductor LLC (SAS) were also included as defendants.

Demaray alleged that Samsung misappropriated two patents related to the deposition process, which involves coating molecular or atomic-scale materials on wafers to give them electrical properties. It pointed out that it should seek over $4 billion in damages for patent infringement.

Demaray summoned Samsung’s semiconductor equipment supplier, “Applied Materials,” as a witness. It attempted to prove Samsung’s infringement allegations but failed.

Demaray is a Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) that makes profits by suing companies with patents without producing any products. It is headquartered in California, USA, and holds over 60 patents. It has been involved in lawsuits with Intel and Applied Materials.