The companies have agreed to a broad life-of-patents cross-license to each other’s worldwide existing semiconductor patents as well as additional patents filed during the next ten years.
“We are pleased to have quickly reached this settlement that acknowledges the strength of our respective intellectual property. Today’s announcement enables both of our companies to focus on innovation and to better serve our clients around the world,” said Thomas Caulfield, CEO of GlobalFoundries. “This agreement between GF and TSMC secures GF’s ability to grow and is a win for the entire semiconductor industry which is at the core of today’s global economy.”
“The semiconductor industry has always been highly competitive, driving the players to pursue innovation that enriched the lives of millions of people around the world. TSMC has invested tens of billions of dollars towards innovation to reach our leading position today,” added Sylvia Fang, general counsel for TSMC. “The resolution is a positive development that keeps our focus on advancing the needs of our customers for technologies that will continue to bring innovation to life, enabling the entire semiconductor industry to thrive and prosper.”
This resolution comes as both companies continue to invest in semiconductor research and development. It guarantees GlobalFoundries and TSMC freedom to operate and ensures that their respective customers will continue to have access to each foundry's technologies and services.
