GlobalFoundries sues IBM over alleged trade secrets breach

Semiconductor producer GlobalFoundries (GF) has confirmed that it has sued IBM for sharing trade secrets after GF had acquired the enterprise in query in 2015, at which level “the sole and exclusive right to license and disclose that technology” was handed over to GF.

An organization press launch (opens in new tab) explains: “The complaint asserts the former semiconductor manufacturing company has unlawfully disclosed GF’s confidential IP and trade secrets.”

As a results of allegedly disclosing secrets to companions like Intel and Rapidus, GF believes that IBM is “unjustly receiving potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in licensing income and other benefits.”

IBM sued for allegedly sharing IP secrets

The lawsuit is particularly involved concerning the know-how that stems from Albany NanoTech Complex analysis, and likewise raises considerations about any additional breaches that will have occurred.

GlobalFoundries, by way of a federal court docket within the Southern District of New York, has requested for compensatory and punitive damages to a presently undisclosed determine, in addition to an injunction to stop IBM from additional illegal disclosures.

The New York-based agency additionally famous obvious efforts by IBM to focus on and recruit its employees, who it describes as “world-class,” requesting that the court docket put a cease to this.

An announcement by the corporate reads: “GF will aggressively defend its investments in technology against those who violate them, as the complaint demonstrates IBM has repeatedly done.”

This isn’t the primary altercation between the 2 firms, with IBM complaining a number of years after the handover that GF had failed to meet its obligations below their contract, with $2.5 billion in damages at stake. 

A GlobalFoundries spokesperson confirmed to TechRadar Pro that the earlier, unrelated litigation is ongoing, that depositions have been full, and that the corporate believes it is a “meritless claim.”

We requested IBM about the newest case. An organization spokesperson stated:

“GlobalFoundries filed this meritless lawsuit after a court rejected the company’s attempt to dismiss IBM’s legitimate fraud and breach of contract claims. Their allegations are entirely baseless, and we are confident that the court will agree.”

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