US ITC upholds Innoscience GaN chips ban - Compound Semiconductor

The US International Trade Commission (US ITC) has upheld a ban on Innoscience's gallium nitride (GaN) chips, following a presidential review period. This decision confirms that Innoscience infringes ... Read original →

The US ITC’s reaffirmation of the Innoscience GaN chip ban signals that patent enforcement in power semiconductors has evolved into a geopolitical compliance tool. Technically, adoption of GaN in EVs, data centers, and fast chargers may decelerate due to supply chain uncertainty—especially as sub-3nm nodes incorporating EUV heighten cross-licensing risks. From a compliance standpoint, foundries in Taiwan, China and Southeast Asia risk secondary scrutiny if they process unlicensed GaN wafers, inflating supply chain insurance premiums. Competitively, rivals like Navitas and GaN Systems will likely deepen alliances with European IDMs to erect IP moats, while Infineon leverages this win to dominate automotive-grade GaN pricing. Over the next 12–24 months, expect a bifurcated GaN ecosystem: Western players favor vertically integrated, IP-locked stacks, while Asian firms pivot toward open architectures or alternative materials like gallium oxide—prioritizing tech sovereignty over pure efficiency.