US Lawmakers Ask ITC to Block TSMC Chip Imports Over Patent Dispute
Republican lawmakers urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to block imports of chips made by TSMC, citing patent infringement. The investigation involves five U.S. patents originally from UMC and targets advanced nodes used by major tech firms like Apple and Qualcomm, potentially impacting AI and consumer electronics.
Key points
- Five Republican lawmakers asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to block imports of certain TSMC-fabricated chips.
- The request stems from a patent infringement case involving five U.S. patents originally owned by United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC).
- The investigation, 337-TA-1443, targets advanced semiconductor nodes (7nm and smaller) used by companies including Apple, Qualcomm, and Broadcom.
- Complainants, subsidiaries of IPValue Management, seek exclusion orders for non-x86 chips and products containing them.
- An initial ruling on the investigation is expected this month, with potential global impacts on AI accelerators, smartphones, and PCs.
A group of Republican lawmakers has officially requested the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to prevent the import of chips manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The appeal is tied to an ongoing patent infringement investigation.
The lawmakers cited five U.S. patents, originally acquired from TSMC's rival, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), as the basis for the complaint. The investigation, designated 337-TA-1443, focuses on chips produced using TSMC's 7-nanometer (nm) and smaller process technologies. These advanced nodes are critical for a wide range of modern electronics.
The complaint, filed by subsidiaries of patent licensing firm IPValue Management, names major technology companies such as Apple, Qualcomm, and Broadcom as respondents, along with TSMC. The complainants are seeking import restrictions and cease and desist orders against non-x86 semiconductor devices fabricated on these advanced nodes and any downstream products that incorporate them. The scope of the potential ban could affect a significant portion of the semiconductor supply chain for AI accelerators, smartphones, and personal computers. An initial ITC ruling is anticipated within the current month, which could have far-reaching implications for the global technology sector.
Sources
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