ST returns fire over MEMS patents

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – STMicroelectronics has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking an exclusion order against gyroscopes and accelerometers made for InvenSense Inc. (Sunnyvale, Calif.) on the grounds of alleged infringement of five ST patents. ST has also asked the ITC to exclude products made by Black and Decker Inc. and Roku Inc. that include the InvenSense MEMS.

ST's ITC request comes after Invensense won a stay of action in an earlier court case brought by ST. That stay was won while the U.S Patent Office re-examines certain ST patents.

In May 2012, ST filed a patent infringement lawsuit against InvenSense in the Northern District of California, alleging infringement of nine ST patents and seeking injunctive relief and monetary damages.

ST said it is confident in the validity of its patents and eager to resume court proceedings. "While we welcome fair competition, ST cannot tolerate continued infringement of our strong and unique patent portfolio, which is the result of more than 15 years of intensive R&D efforts and substantial investment, to bring competitive and innovative solutions to customers worldwide," said Bob Krysiak, CEO of STMicroelectronics Inc.


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