Wolfspeed sues Navitas over 5 patents in GaN and SiC technology dispute

Wolfspeed sued Navitas Semiconductor over five patents covering gallium nitride and silicon carbide technologies, escalating a legal battle in the $8 billion wide bandgap semiconductor market.

"Wolfspeed's foundational technology helped create this industry, and we are deeply committed to defending the intellectual property that represents decades of innovation and R&D investment," Robert Feurle, Wolfspeed's chief executive officer, said.

The lawsuit, filed July 7 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, targets Navitas's GaNFast, GaNSlim and GaNSafe gallium nitride FETs, as well as its GeneSiC MOSFETs and SiCPAK modules. The five asserted patents — U.S. Patent Nos. 8,169,005, 10,998,418, 10,886,396, 10,749,443 and 11,888,392 — cover fundamental aspects of wide bandgap semiconductor design and manufacturing.

Wolfspeed, a Durham, North Carolina-based pioneer in silicon carbide materials and GaN transistors, has built a patent portfolio spanning decades of research and development. The company said protecting its intellectual property is a strategic priority as it invests in next-generation SiC and GaN technologies. Navitas, a competitor in the same power semiconductor space, now faces potential disruption to its core product lines if Wolfspeed secures an injunction.

The case highlights the intensifying competition in wide bandgap semiconductors, which offer superior efficiency over traditional silicon in power applications such as electric vehicles, data centers and renewable energy inverters. Wolfspeed competes with Infineon Technologies, STMicroelectronics and ON Semiconductor in SiC, while Navitas focuses on GaN for fast-charging and power conversion. TSMC, the dominant foundry, manufactures chips for both companies, creating potential supply chain complications if the lawsuit restricts Navitas's access to fabrication.

Shares of Wolfspeed fell 8.8% on the day, while Navitas dropped 8.1%. Wolfspeed has surged 101% over the past six months despite the recent decline, reflecting investor optimism about its position in the wide bandgap market. The case adds uncertainty for Navitas customers evaluating long-term supply commitments in a market where switching costs between suppliers remain high.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.