Intel Triumphs in UK Segment of Global Patent Dispute with R2 Over Chips, Reports Reuters

LONDON – Intel has emerged victorious in a patent dispute in London against its U.S. competitor R2 Semiconductor, which was seeking an injunction that could have halted the sale of certain Intel chips.

The conflict began in 2022 when R2 filed a lawsuit in London’s High Court, claiming that Intel infringed its patent by marketing chips and processors equipped with fully integrated voltage regulators.

In response, Intel sought to invalidate R2’s patent, which pertains to on-chip power supplies for computer microprocessors. On Wednesday, the court ruled in favor of Intel, declaring R2’s patent invalid due to its failure to demonstrate an "inventive step" beyond existing inventions.

While the judge acknowledged that Intel would have infringed R2’s patent if it had been considered valid, the ruling marked a significant win for Intel.

R2’s legal team argued that all of Intel’s current microchips, processors, and other microelectronic devices incorporating a fully integrated voltage regulator were in violation of their patent. They were seeking a court order to prevent further alleged infringements, which could have potentially obstructed Intel’s ability to sell its products, including the "Ice Lake" server chips.

This ruling stands in contrast to a previous decision by a German court in February, which had favored R2. The Dusseldorf court found that Intel’s products did infringe R2’s patent, a ruling that Intel is currently appealing.

In addition to the ongoing legal battles in London, both Intel and R2 are also involved in similar lawsuits in France and Italy.