Sofics DTSCR patent prevails over prior art in EPO opposition
MUNICH/NEUBIBERG, GISTEL/BELGIUM – October 07, 2014 – Lantiq, a leading supplier of broadband access and home networking technologies, today announced that it entered into a license and settlement agreement with Sofics, a leading developer and licensor of on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) solutions.
The license includes Sofics’ patented Diode Triggered Silicon Controlled Rectifier (DTSCR) protection clamps, which are widely used in the industry. “With Sofics’ technology, Lantiq’s 130nm and 65nm HP products are more economic for a wide range of chip-hostile environments, giving Lantiq a much greater reach into geographies and markets where its competition cannot play”, said Christoph von Schierstädt, Lantiq Communications Manager. “Sofics’ ESD solutions together with Lantiq’s best-in-class Telecom products thus create a triple-win solution for Sofics, Lantiq and its customers”.
Through an inquiry before the European Patent Office (EPO) Lantiq had sought review of Sofics’ DTSCR patent EP 1 368 874. “Sofics had welcomed the opportunity to strengthen the validity of its DTSCR solutions through an EPO opposition procedure, as we believed, we would significantly benefit from that,” said Koen Verhaege, Sofics CEO. “Indeed our TakeCharge® portfolio is now rock solid by the winning EPO decision. Moreover, this demonstrates to our licensees that we stand firm behind our intellectual property, and this shall convince other DTSCR users to enter into a proper license”.
Sofics ESD solutions are licensed in more than 3000 commercial high volume product ICs to more than 50 companies worldwide.
About Lantiq
Lantiq offers a broad and innovative semiconductor product portfolio for next-generation networks and the digital home. More Information about Lantiq is available on its Website, via Twitter @Lantiq, and YouTube.
About Sofics
Sofics focuses on development, licensing and design services for on-chip device- and system-level protection and reliability. Sofics is an independent practicing IP provider. More information about Sofics is available on its Website or via Twitter @Sofics.