The Munich Regional Court has ruled in favor of Japanese electronics manufacturer Murata in two parallel patent infringement actions against Chinese chipmaker Maxscend Microelectronics. The court has banned Maxscend from distributing their surface acoustic wave filter components in Germany.
The patents in question protect SAW filter technology, which filters radio frequency signals such as wi-fi in wireless devices like smartphones and tablets to ensure stable connections. Murata is one of the leading global suppliers of such components.
Dispute Background
The dispute between Murata and Maxscend is also playing out at the UPC as well as in China and Korea. The patents protect so-called SAW filters, which are a key component in mobile communications, enabling the filtering of radio frequency signals in wireless devices.
Murata Manufacturing owns the two patents-in-suit at the Regional Court Munich, EP 3 007 358 B1 and DE 11 2015 005 349 B4. The Japanese manufacturer of electronic components sued Maxscend for infringement, while the semiconductor company filed nullity actions at the German Federal Patent court.
Patent Details
EP 358 B1 protects an elastic wave filter device featuring resonators with specific interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode structures. The claims cover a particular configuration of busbars with cavities and electrode fingers forming regions of differing acoustic velocity.
The court found infringement and granted damages dating back to 23 November 2019. The 7th Civil Chamber of the Regional Court Munich ordered Maxscend Microelectronics to cease the distribution of certain SAW filter devices in Germany.
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Injunction Scope
The injunctions cover the filter components from Maxscend as such, as well as mobile devices from Samsung such as smartphones and tablets, that incorporate the infringing Maxscend SAW-filters. The scope is expressly limited to Samsung handsets on the German market to the extent they include infringing Maxscend SAW-filters.
Lower-court enforcement is possible against security of €1.8 million for the combined injunction and recall claims per case. The defendants may appeal the judgments to the Higher Regional Court Munich.
This is only one of an increasing number of cases where patent holders from outside Germany and the EU have sought injunctions at a German court. German courts, especially the Regional Court Munich, have developed into a go-to court for high-tech companies suing their competitors due to their reputation for swift decisions and low-cost proceedings.
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader represented Murata Electronics Europe in both proceedings, with Munich-based partner Steffen Steininger leading the case. Pentarc, an IP boutique, represented Maxscend, with partners Thomas Pattloch and Jan Phillip Rektorschek in the lead.
For companies like Murata and Maxscend, dealing with intellectual property law is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. They must consider the laws and regulations of different countries and jurisdictions in order to protect their interests. Murata has achieved a significant victory in this ruling, but it also highlights the challenges that companies face in enforcing their patents across different jurisdictions.
