LPKF Ddefends LDS Patent in Federal Patent Court

Garbsen-based laser specialist LPKF today announced that it has won another key victory in the legal dispute with Motorola concerning the infringement of the patent for Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) developed by LPKF. A year ago, a lower court ruled in favor of LPKF in the patent infringement suit brought by LPKF against Motorola. Motorola subsequently appealed, but the court has not yet handed down a decision. At the same time, a decision was pending on the nullity action brought by Motorola against the patent in the Federal Patent Court in Munich. The China-based BYD Group, a Motorola supplier, joined this nullity action a few weeks ago.

On 9 July, the Federal Patent Court upheld the LDS patent as amended after LPKF provided clarifications. "Our LDS patent was strengthened by the clarifications we provided. Thanks to this, our chances of also prevailing in the patent infringement suit against Motorola in the higher court have undoubtedly improved," explains CEO Dr. Ingo Bretthauer.

Whether Motorola and BYD will appeal to Germany's Federal Court of Justice in the nullity case as well remains to be seen. LPKF will take action to ensure that the patent infringement proceedings now proceed as quickly as possible.

The LPKF LDS process is able to create circuit tracks on 3-D plastic parts 

About LPKF

LPKF Laser & Electronics AG manufactures machines and laser systems used in electronics fabrication, medical technology, the automotive sector, and the production of solar cells. Around 20 percent of the workforce is engaged in research and development.