Munich Regional Court finds Innoscience GaN chips infringe further Infineon patent

Under presiding judge Hubertus Schacht, the 21st Civil Chamber has found that gallium nitride (GaN) products offered by Innoscience and MEV Elektronik Service infringe Infineon’s German patent DE 10 2017 103 054. The patent protects a specific semiconductor die.

On 3 July, the panel, which also comprised judges Sebastian Benz and Julia Obermeier, ordered the defendants to cease offering and distributing the infringing products in Germany, to provide detailed information and render accounts. The court also found the defendants liable for damages. The rulings are enforceable against security.

The judgments concern four Innoscience subsidaries (case ID: 21 O 6442/24) as well as the independent distributor MEV Elektronik Service (case ID: 21 O 6444/24).

Stay request rejected

In the proceedings, Innoscience argued non-infringement and sought a stay pending the outcome of revocation proceedings against the patent-in-suit, which the Chinese chip manufacturer has filed before the Federal Patent Court. The chamber rejected these. Innoscience is expected to appeal both decisions.

The ruling follows a series of first-instance decisions in Infineon’s favour. In mid-June, the same chamber found that Innoscience and its European distributors CODICO and MEV Elektronik Service infringed Infineon’s German patent DE 10 2017 100 947. A day later, the court also ruled for Infineon in parallel proceedings concerning the related German utility model DE 20 2017 007 691. Innoscience has not yet decided whether to appeal against both judgments.

In August 2025, Munich Regional Court handed down a first-instance ruling for Infineon, finding that Innoscience’s GaN products infringe Infineon’s German patent DE 10 2014 113 465. An appeal in that case is pending before the Munich Higher Regional Court. Infineon is also suing Innoscience before the District Court of the Northern District of California on the basis of a US patent.

GaN key for semiconductors

Infineon holds approximately 450 GaN patent families. Gallium nitride is a key semiconductor material for high-performance and energy-efficient power systems. GaN-based chips are particularly valued in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, data centres and industrial automation, as they enable lighter components compared to conventional silicon semiconductors.

The German semiconductor manufacturer acquired Canadian company GaN Systems for $830 million in 2023, thus significantly strengthening its positions. Innoscience, meanwhile, claims it is the largest supplier worldwide of GaN wafers used in chip manufacturing.

Infineon retains CMS and Szynka Smorodin

A team from CMS Hasche Sigle, led by partner and patent litigator Constantin Kurtz, represented Infineon. Associate Carolin Sippel provided support. Kurtz previously handled Infineon’s first-instance victory against Innoscience in August 2025 regarding the infringement of DE 465, while still at IP boutique Klaka. Following his move to CMS, he continues to handle these cases. CMS is also representing Infineon in the appeals.

In early 2026, several partners, including all patent lawyers, left Klaka. Stefan Eck for example moved to Munich IP firm Ampersand. He continues to represent Infineon in the parallel proceedings concerning DE 947 and the related utility model.

Patent attorney Dirk Szynka of Szynka Smorodin handled the technical aspects of the current infringement proceedings and is also leading the defence in the parallel nullity proceedings before the Federal Patent Court, working alongside Kurtz as coordinating lawyer. Szynka was formerly a name partner at König Szynka Tilmann von Renesse, but the firm dissolved in early 2025 when the Düsseldorf office joined Hoffmann Eitle.

Thomas Mayer, Martin Bayerl, Christoph Schreiter and Christoph Schindler managed the dispute for Infineon in-house.

Innoscience relies on Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner, with the German team led by Jochen Herr, working alongside Moritz Meckel, Johannes Druschel, Daniel Seitz, Yannick Schütt, Robert Los, Fiona Toni and Maximilian Speckbacher, as well as Filip Wach from the London office.

The US firm is handling all proceedings before the German courts as well as the defence against Infineon’s US lawsuit, with US partner Lionel Lavenue leading the international team. (Co-author: Mathieu Klos)