中微半導體設備有限公司獲得由泛林科技在臺灣發起的專利侵權訴訟的全面勝利
上海、臺北和舊金山2009年9月9日電 /美通社亞洲/ — 中微半導體設備有限公司（中微）宣佈它們已經在由美國泛林科技有限公司（泛林）在臺灣發起的針對其臺灣分公司及其關係企業的專利侵權的法律訴訟中獲得了勝利。在昨天剛剛宣佈的判決中，臺灣智慧財產法院駁回了泛林的訴訟，並認定泛林主張遭到侵害的專利是無效的。
2009年1月，泛林公司明確聲稱中微公司型號為 Primo D-RIE 的電漿蝕刻機侵害它的臺灣專利 TW136706「電漿反應器中之多孔的電漿密封環」，和 TW126873 「 於電漿處理室中大量消除未侷限電漿之聚焦環配置」。
中微公司以事實回應泛林的指控並指出泛林所提出的被侵權的專利根本就是無效的專利。同年6月，泛林公司除了僅保留與專利 TW136706相關的部分侵權主張外，撤回了它其他的大多數的侵權主張。智慧財產法院承審法官在聽取雙方針對有效性問題辯論後，基於不需要更進一步的調查關於侵權的爭點，在9月8日駁回了本案。記載著法院對本案判決詳細解釋的正式判決書將在幾周內送達。
這個勝利對中微公司意味重大並保證了中微公司能夠持續在臺灣市場佈局和推廣其技術領先的產品。
中微公司的首席執行官尹志堯博士對法庭的判決表示：「我們非常高興看到這樣的判決。這個案件的勝利也保護了所有擁有強大知識產權的新興公司進入市場的權力。健康的競爭是向客戶提供更優秀產品的不可缺少的保證。我們歡迎與競爭對手們的公開競爭。 當然，當這樣的競爭對手試圖以沒有根據的法律訴訟來阻礙我們進軍關鍵市場時，我們將積極捍衛我們的權力。我們非常高興法庭駁回了他們的訴訟。」
談到法庭的判決，中微公司資深副總裁杜志游博士指出：「我們非常高興地看到法庭駁回了泛林科技的專利侵權訴訟。作為一個先進技術的創新者，中微公司對知識產權的保護尤為認真和嚴格。創立獨特的知識產權和尊重競爭對手知識產權的完整性，從公司成立的第一天就是我們事業的基石。我們專注於為客戶提供獨一無二的技術，而且我們也很高興地看到我們在這方面所取得的實質性的成就。」
中微公司簡介：
中微公司是先進的以亞洲為基地的半導體設備公司。公司致力於通過技術創新提高產能從而降低製造成本，為全球先進的晶片生產廠家提供一系列高端的晶片生產設備。中微公司戰略性地將總部設在全球半導體晶片製造工業最集中的地區，提供獨樹一幟的擁有技術創新和成本解決方案的電漿蝕刻和化學薄膜沉積設備，為65和45納米以及更高端的元件製造提供技術幫助和成本控制方案。中微公司的全球佈局包括在中國，日本，南韓，臺灣，新加坡等地設立，製造，銷售和客戶服務機構。獲取更多中微公司資訊，歡迎登陸中微公司網站：http://www.amec-inc.com 。
Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment, Inc Prevails in Patent Infringement Suit Filed Against the Company by Lam Research in Taiwan
SHANGHAI, TAIPEI and SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment, Inc. (AMEC) announced that it has prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit filed against its subsidiary in Taiwan and other related entities by LAM Research in Taiwan. In a decision rendered yesterday, the Intellectual Property Court in Taiwan dismissed LAM Research’s civil complaint on the grounds that the patent in question is invalid.
Specifically, LAM Research alleged at the beginning of the case in January 2009 that AMEC’s Primo D-RIE(TM) dielectric etch system infringes its TW Patent 136706 “Perforated Plasma Confinement Ring in Plasma Reactors”, and TW Patent 126873 “Focus Ring Arrangement for Substantially Eliminating Unconfined Plasma in Plasma Reactors.”
AMEC responded by attacking LAM Research’s patents on grounds of invalidity, in addition to mounting its non-infringement defense. LAM Research withdrew most of the patent claims in June except for claims relevant to TW Patent 136706, being its first independent claim and its dependent claims. By hearing substantive arguments on the patent’s invalidity and before even going in depth into the patent infringement argument, the Judge dismissed the civil action, effective September 8th. Service of the Court’s formal written reasoning which explains this decision is expected within several weeks.
The decision represents a substantial victory for AMEC and enables the company to proceed with its plan for positioning its advanced technology products in Taiwan.
AMEC’s chief executive officer, Dr. Gerald Yin, praised the Court’s decision and noted, “We are pleased with the ruling and its implications for protecting the market-access rights of emerging technology companies with strong intellectual property. Healthy competition is an imperative component of delivering superior products to customers and we appreciate competing with esteemed companies. However, if we believe that a competitor is attempting to hinder our market access by making unsupported infringement claims, we will vigorously defend our rights. We’re pleased that the Court dismissed the action.”
AMEC’s senior vice president, Dr. Zhiyou Du, also commented on the ruling, noting, “As an innovator of advanced technology, AMEC takes the business of Intellectual Property (IP) extremely seriously. Creating unique IP and honoring the integrity of competitors’ IP has been a cornerstone of our business strategy since the company’s inception. Our singular focus is to deliver differentiated technology solutions to our global customers and we’re pleased to be making substantial gains in that endeavor.”
About Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc.
Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. (AMEC) is the parent company of leading Asia-based semiconductor equipment affiliates with proprietary wafer fabrication solutions designed to advance technology, increase productivity and reduce manufacturing costs for leading global semiconductor manufacturers. Headquartered in the hub of the semiconductor manufacturing industry, AMEC’s systems combine unique technology solutions with economic innovations for the 65/45-nm nodes and beyond. The company maintains R&D, manufacturing, business and support operations in China, with sales and support organizations in Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. To learn more, please visit http://www.amec-inc.com .