GlobalFoundries just made a bold move to defend its intellectual property. The company filed patent infringement lawsuits against Tower Semiconductor in the US, accusing Tower of misusing proprietary process technologies and manufacturing without permission.
They brought these actions in both the US International Trade Commission and the Western District of Texas. The lawsuits target 11 US patents that cover processes used in mobile, automotive, aerospace, and communications tech.
GlobalFoundries wants the courts to stop imports and sales of the accused products in the US. They’re also after damages for lost profits.
Legal action targets and misappropriation allegations
GlobalFoundries filed complaints in the ITC and the Western District of Texas. The company alleges that Tower Semiconductor used GF’s proprietary process technologies without a license.
GF claims Tower’s manufacturing activities infringe on multiple core GF process patents. They say this threatens competition in key markets like mobile devices and automotive electronics.
GF CTO Gregg Bartlett said that defending innovation is essential to preserving the “semiconductor ecosystem.” The company points to its IP portfolio—over 8,000 patents built over more than a decade—compared to Tower’s reported portfolio of fewer than 500 patents.
GF claims and the IP landscape
According to the complaints, Tower benefited from GlobalFoundries’ R&D without doing its own equivalent development. The 11 patents at issue cover manufacturing processes for mobile, automotive, aerospace, and communications technologies.
- Patents involved: 11 US patents covering core semiconductor processes.
- Relief sought: Injunctions to stop US imports and sales, plus damages for lost profits.
- IP portfolio comparison: GF cites a portfolio exceeding 8,000 patents versus Tower’s claimed sub-500 count.
GF expansion, partnerships, and investment signals
Meanwhile, GlobalFoundries is making a big push to expand US fabrication capacity. The company plans to invest up to $16 billion, with about $3 billion set aside for R&D in emerging semiconductor technologies.
GF also announced a broader manufacturing partnership with Renesas Electronics. This deal lets Renesas access more of GlobalFoundries’ process technologies.
The collaboration includes joint tape-outs, with first results expected by mid-2026. It’s an example of companies working together to advance complex fabrication technologies and meet customer demand.
Tower restructuring in Japan: implications for supply and strategy
At the same time, Tower is restructuring its Japanese operations. The company plans to take full ownership of 300mm Fab 7, while Nuvoton Technology Corporation Japan will own 200mm Fab 5 outright.
They plan to keep mutual supply agreements in place, aiming to wrap up the deal by April 1, 2027. This move looks like a strategic effort to optimize production capacity and supplier relationships as the legal fight continues.
What to watch next
With the ITC and federal court cases moving forward, it’s worth keeping an eye on possible injunctive motions and licensing talks. These could easily send ripples through the broader supply chain and shake up collaboration in the semiconductor world.
The outcome might even shift licensing norms and cross-licensing relationships in the U.S., not to mention affecting investment in domestic manufacturing. It’s a lot to consider for anyone interested in how advanced process technologies will get developed and rolled out over the next few years.
Honestly, in a market that’s always sprinting ahead and full of geopolitical drama, the GF–Tower dispute could end up being a real landmark. It’s not just about IP protection or R&D leadership—it’s tangled up in global manufacturing strategies, too. How will it all play out? Hard to say, but it’s definitely one to watch.
Here is the source article for this story: GlobalFoundries sues Tower Semiconductor for US patent infringement