News Article
Boston University at war with Apple for GaN patent infringement
The university has filed a patent against the consumer electronics giant. The patent relates to a method of growing insulating monocrystalline gallium nitride thin films using MBE
On July 2nd 2013, the trustees of Boston University filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, Inc. in Massachusetts District Court.
The lawsuit refers to infringement of the United States Patent 5,686,738, "Highly insulating monocrystalline gallium nitride thin films". The patent relates to a method of preparing highly insulating GaN single crystal films in a MBE growth chamber. The patent was filed by Theodore D. Moustakas, a professor at the University of Boston (BU) and was granted in November 1997.
Several sources say that Apple has used the technology in its iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air and that Boston University wants compensation and may even request halting future shipments of these devices.
The lawsuit refers to infringement of the United States Patent 5,686,738, "Highly insulating monocrystalline gallium nitride thin films". The patent relates to a method of preparing highly insulating GaN single crystal films in a MBE growth chamber. The patent was filed by Theodore D. Moustakas, a professor at the University of Boston (BU) and was granted in November 1997.
Several sources say that Apple has used the technology in its iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air and that Boston University wants compensation and may even request halting future shipments of these devices.
