throbber
Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 1 of 42 PageID #: 432
`Case 1:17-cv—00868—JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 1 of 42 PageID #: 432
`
`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT B
`
`EXHIBIT B
`
`

`

`MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO.,
`LTD, a Taiwanese corporation,
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`SPANSION INC., a Delaware corporation,
`and SPANSION LLC, a Delaware
`corporation,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Civil Action No.: 3:13-cv-00679-REP
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 1 of 41 PageID# 148Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 2 of 42 PageID #: 433
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
`Alexandria Division
`
`
`Defendants.
`
`
`
`
`MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD’S
`FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT
`
`Plaintiff Macronix International Co., Ltd. (“Macronix”) brings this first amended
`
`complaint for patent infringement against Spansion, Inc. and Spansion LLC (collectively, the
`
`“Defendants”), and in support thereof states as follows:
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`1. Macronix brings this action pursuant to the patent laws of the United States,
`
`including 35 U.S.C. § 271, et seq. Defendants have and continue to infringe one or more claims
`
`of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,619,052 (“the ’052 Patent”); 5,836,772 (“the ’772 Patent”); 5,998,826 (“the
`
`’826 Patent”); 6,031,757 (“the ’757 Patent”); 6,421,267 (“the ’267 Patent”); 8,341,324 (“the ’324
`
`Patent”); and 8,341,330 (“the ’330 Patent”) (collectively, the “Macronix Patents” or the “Patents-
`
`in-Suit”). True and correct copies of the Macronix Patents are attached hereto as Exhibits A
`
`through G, respectively.
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 2 of 41 PageID# 149Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 3 of 42 PageID #: 434
`
`
`THE PARTIES
`
`2. Macronix International Co., Ltd. is a corporation organized under the laws of
`
`Taiwan, having its principal place of business at No. 16, Li-Hsin Road, Science Park, Hsin-chu,
`
`Taiwan, Republic of China. Macronix is the owner of all right, title and interest to the Macronix
`
`Patents, including the right to collect damages for past infringement of the Macronix Patents.
`
`3.
`
`Upon information and belief, Spansion, Inc. is incorporated in Delaware and its
`
`headquarters are located at 915 DeGuigne Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Spansion, Inc. makes,
`
`uses, sells, offers to sell, and imports flash memory chips that infringe the Macronix Patents in
`
`this District and elsewhere.
`
`4.
`
`Upon information and belief, Spansion LLC is a wholly owned operating
`
`subsidiary company of Spansion, Inc. Spansion LLC is incorporated in Delaware and its
`
`headquarters are located at 915 DeGuigne Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Spansion LLC makes,
`
`uses, sells, offers to sell, and imports flash memory chips that infringe the Macronix Patents in
`
`this District and elsewhere.
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`5.
`
`This action arises under the patent laws of the United States, Title 35 of the
`
`United States Code. This Court has exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over this action under
`
`28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a).
`
`6.
`
`Upon information and belief, this Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants
`
`for at least the following reasons: (i) Defendants have committed acts of willful patent
`
`infringement, and/or induced acts of patent infringement by others, in this District and elsewhere
`
`in Virginia and the United States; (ii) Defendants knowingly and intentionally place their
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 3 of 41 PageID# 150Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 4 of 42 PageID #: 435
`
`
`products, including the accused products, into the stream of commerce within this District and
`
`can reasonably be expected to be hailed into court here; and (iii) Defendants have voluntarily
`
`consented to the jurisdiction of this Court with regard to patent infringement actions involving
`
`flash memory devices, including because Spansion LLC previously filed a similar action within
`
`this District and further opposed transferring that case out of this District.
`
`7.
`
`Upon information and belief, venue is proper in this District under 28 U.S.C. §§
`
`1391(b)-(c) and 1400(b) because Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction in this District
`
`and have committed acts of infringement in this District. For instance, upon information and
`
`belief, Defendants have sold infringing products to downstream customers located in this
`
`District, including: Cornet Technology, Inc., Encore Networks, Power Monitors, Inc., Vidar
`
`Systems, and NAL Research.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`8.
`
`Established in 1989, Macronix is a leading innovator of non-volatile memory
`
`semiconductor solutions. Led by scientists and researchers, Macronix dedicates a substantial
`
`portion of its revenue, upwards of $170 million annually, to research and development and
`
`regularly publishes and presents technical papers in major international conferences to help bring
`
`the next generation of non-volatile memory solutions to consumers all over the world.
`
`Macronix’s cutting-edge technology is used in a wide range of products.
`
`9. Macronix has made substantial investments in protecting its intellectual property.
`
`Macronix has over 5,000 patents issued to it worldwide, including over 1,700 United States
`
`patents. According to a 2011 study by the Patent Board™, among the 240 semiconductor
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 4 of 41 PageID# 151Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 5 of 42 PageID #: 436
`
`
`companies evaluated, Macronix’s patent portfolio was ranked as the 18th worldwide and 1st in the
`
`Taiwanese semiconductor industry.
`
`10. However, Macronix’s ability to provide consumers with innovative technology is
`
`dependent upon its ability to protect its innovations. To that end, Macronix’s ability to compete
`
`has been significantly compromised by the acts complained of in this Complaint.
`
`ASSERTED PATENTS
`
`11. Macronix is the owner of all rights, title, and interest in the Macronix Patents,
`
`including the right to bring this suit for injunctive relief and damages.
`
`12. The ’052 Patent, titled “Interpoly Dielectric Structure in EEPROM Device,” was
`
`duly and legally issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on April 8, 1997.
`
`13. The ’772 Patent, titled “Interpoly Dielectric Process” was duly and legally issued
`
`by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 17, 1998.
`
`14. The ’826 Patent, titled “Triple Well Floating Gate Memory and Operating Method
`
`with Isolated Channel Program, Preprogram and Erase Processes” was duly and legally issued by
`
`the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 7, 1999.
`
`15. The ’757 Patent, titled “Write Protected, Non-Volatile Memory Device with User
`
`Programmable Sector Lock Capability” was duly and legally issued by the United States Patent
`
`and Trademark Office on Feb. 29, 2000.
`
`16. The ’267 Patent, titled “Memory Array Architecture” was duly and legally issued
`
`by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 16, 2002.
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 5 of 41 PageID# 152Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 6 of 42 PageID #: 437
`
`
`17. The ’324 Patent, titled “Serial Peripheral Interface and Method for Data
`
`Transmission” was duly and legally issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on
`
`Dec. 25, 2012.
`
`18. The ’330 Patent, titled “Method and System for Enhanced Read Performance in
`
`Serial Peripheral Interface” was duly and legally issued by the United States Patent and
`
`Trademark Office on Dec. 25, 2012.
`
`COUNT I
`
`(INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’052 PATENT)
`
`19. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations in
`
`paragraphs 1 – 18 above as if fully set forth herein.
`
`20. Upon information and belief, the Defendants have infringed, and continue to
`
`infringe, the ’052 Patent by making, using, offering for sale, and/or selling within the United
`
`States, and/or importing into the United States, products that practice the inventions claimed in
`
`the ’052 Patent, including, but not limited to their S34ML01G1, S34ML02G1, S34ML04G1,
`
`S34ML08G1, S34ML01G2, S34ML04G2, S34MS01G1, and S34MS02G1 NAND Flash
`
`Memory Products. Such infringing products infringe, literally and/or under the doctrine of
`
`equivalents, at least the following valid and enforceable claims of the ’052 patent: 1, 3-8, 10, 12-
`
`18, and 21.
`
`21. More specifically, on information and belief, the Defendants’ making, using,
`
`offering for sale, and/or selling in the United States, and/or importing into the United States of
`
`each of these NAND Flash Memory Products satisfies all elements of at least the aforementioned
`
`claims of the ’052 patent, literally and/or under the doctrine of equivalents, as follows:
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 6 of 41 PageID# 153Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 7 of 42 PageID #: 438
`
`
`a. Claim 1 recites “[a] dielectric insulating composite for insulating a floating
`
`gate from a control gate in a nonvolatile memory cell, the dielectric
`
`insulating composite comprising.” Regardless of whether the preamble
`
`limits the scope of claim 1, the Defendants’ products contain such a dielectric
`
`insulating composite.
`
`b. Claim 1 further recites “a bottom layer of silicon dioxide formed on said
`
`floating gate.” The Defendants’ products contain such a bottom layer of
`
`silicon dioxide.
`
`c. Claim 1 further recites “a layer of silicon nitride formed on said bottom
`
`silicon dioxide layer, said silicon nitride layer having a thickness which is
`
`less than said bottom silicon dioxide layer.” The Defendants’ products
`
`contain such a layer of silicon nitride.
`
`d. Claim 1 further recites “a top layer of silicon dioxide formed on said nitride
`
`layer, said top silicon dioxide layer having a thickness which is greater than
`
`said silicon nitride layer.” The Defendants’ products contain such a top layer
`
`of silicon dioxide.
`
`e. Claim 3 recites “[a] dielectric insulating composite according to claim 1
`
`wherein said bottom silicon dioxide layer has a thickness equal to or less than
`
`about 100 A and said top silicon dioxide layer has a thickness equal to or less
`
`than about 100 A.” The Defendants’ products contain such bottom and top
`
`silicon dioxide layers.
`
`f. Claim 4 recites “[a] dielectric insulating composite according to claim 3
`
`wherein said bottom and top silicon dioxide layers are formed by high
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 7 of 41 PageID# 154Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 8 of 42 PageID #: 439
`
`
`temperature chemical vapor deposition.” The Defendants’ products contain
`
`such bottom and top silicon dioxide layers.
`
`g. Claim 5 recites “[a] dielectric insulating composite according to claim 3
`
`wherein said silicon nitride layer has a thickness less than about 80 A.” The
`
`Defendants’ products contain such a silicon nitride layer.
`
`h. Claim 6 recites “[a] dielectric insulating composite according to claim 3
`
`wherein said bottom silicon dioxide layer has a thickness between about 25
`
`and 100 A, said silicon nitride layer having a thickness less than about 80 A
`
`and said top silicon dioxide layer having a thickness between about 40 and
`
`100 A.” The Defendants’ products contain such bottom silicon dioxide,
`
`silicon nitride, and top silicon dioxide layers.
`
`i. Claim 7 recites “[a] dielectric insulating composite according to claim 6
`
`wherein the capacitively measured effective oxide thickness of said dielectric
`
`insulating composite is equal to or less than about 180 A.” The Defendants’
`
`products contain such an oxide thickness.
`
`j. Claim 8 recites “[a] dielectric insulating composite according to claim 6
`
`wherein said bottom and top silicon dioxide layers are formed by high
`
`temperature chemical vapor deposition.” The Defendants’ products contain
`
`such bottom and top silicon dioxide layers.
`
`k. Claim 10 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell comprising.” Regardless of
`
`whether the preamble limits the scope of claim 10, the Defendants’ products
`
`contain such a nonvolatile memory cell.
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 8 of 41 PageID# 155Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 9 of 42 PageID #: 440
`
`
`l. Claim 10 further recites “a) a first conductivity-type semiconductor
`
`substrate.” The Defendants’ products contain such a semiconductor
`
`substrate.
`
`m. Claim 10 further recites “b) source and drain regions formed on a surface of
`
`said substrate.” The Defendants’ products contain such source and drain
`
`regions.”
`
`n. Claim 10 further recites “c) an insulating layer formed on said source and
`
`drain regions.” The Defendants’ products contain such an insulating layer.
`
`o. Claim 10 further recites “d) a floating gate positioned on said insulating
`
`layer.” The Defendants’ products contain such a floating gate.
`
`p. Claim 10 further recites “e) a dielectric composite positioned on said floating
`
`gate, said dielectric composite including a bottom layer of silicon dioxide
`
`formed on said floating gate; a layer of silicon nitride formed on said bottom
`
`silicon dioxide layer, said silicon nitride layer having a thickness which is
`
`less than said bottom silicon dioxide layer; and a top layer of silicon dioxide
`
`formed on said nitride layer, said top silicon dioxide layer having a thickness
`
`which is greater than said silicon nitride layer.” The Defendants’ products
`
`contain such a dielectric composite.
`
`q. Claim 10 further recites “f) a control gate positioned on said dielectric
`
`composite.” The Defendants’ products contain such a control gate.
`
`r. Claim 12 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell according to claim 10 wherein
`
`said bottom silicon dioxide layer has a thickness equal to or less than about
`
`100 A and said top silicon dioxide layer has a thickness equal to or less than
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 9 of 41 PageID# 156Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 10 of 42 PageID #: 441
`
`
`about 100 A.” The Defendants’ products contain such bottom and top silicon
`
`dioxide layers.
`
`s. Claim 13 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell according to claim 10 wherein
`
`the capacitively measured effective oxide thickness of said dielectric
`
`insulating composite is equal to or less than about 180 A.” The Defendants’
`
`products contain such an oxide thickness.
`
`t. Claim 14 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell according to claim 12 wherein
`
`said bottom and top silicon dioxide layers are formed by high temperature
`
`chemical vapor deposition.” The Defendants’ products contain such bottom
`
`and top silicon dioxide layers.
`
`u. Claim 15 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell according to claim 10 wherein
`
`said silicon nitride layer has a thickness less than about 80 A.” The
`
`Defendants’ products contain such a silicon nitride layer.
`
`v. Claim 16 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell according to claim 10 wherein
`
`said bottom silicon dioxide layer has a thickness between about 25 and 100
`
`A, said silicon nitride layer having a thickness less than about 80 A and said
`
`top silicon dioxide layer having a thickness between about 40 and 100 A.”
`
`The Defendants’ products contain such bottom silicon dioxide, silicon
`
`nitride, and top silicon dioxide layers.
`
`w. Claim 17 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell according to claim 16 wherein
`
`the capacitively measured effective oxide thickness of said dielectric
`
`insulating composite is equal to or less than about 180 A.” The Defendants’
`
`products contain such an oxide thickness.
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 10 of 41 PageID# 157Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 11 of 42 PageID #: 442
`
`
`x. Claim 18 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell according to claim 16 wherein
`
`said bottom and top silicon dioxide layers are formed by high temperature
`
`chemical vapor deposition.” The Defendants’ products contain such bottom
`
`and top silicon dioxide layers.
`
`y. Claim 21 recites “[a] dielectric insulator for insulating a floating gate from a
`
`control gate
`
`in a nonvolatile memory cell,
`
`the dielectric
`
`insulator
`
`comprising.” Regardless of whether the preamble limits the scope of claim
`
`21, the Defendants’ products contain such a dielectric insulator.
`
`z. Claim 21 further recites “a bottom silicon dioxide layer formed on said
`
`floating gate, a layer of silicon nitride formed on said bottom silicon dioxide
`
`layer, said silicon nitride layer having a thickness which is less than said
`
`bottom silicon dioxide layer; and a top layer of silicon dioxide formed on
`
`said nitride layer, said top silicon dioxide layer having a thickness which is
`
`greater than said silicon nitride layer, the dielectric insulator having a
`
`capacitively measured effective oxide thickness equal to or less than about
`
`180 A.” The Defendants’ products contain such bottom silicon dioxide,
`
`silicon nitride, and top silicon dioxide layers.
`
`22. Upon information and belief, the Defendants’ acts of infringement herein have
`
`been made with full knowledge of Macronix’s rights in the ’052 patent. Such acts constitute
`
`willful and deliberate infringement, entitling Macronix to enhanced damages and reasonable
`
`attorneys’ fees.
`
`23. Upon information and belief, the Defendants’ infringing activities have caused
`
`and will continue to cause Macronix irreparable injury unless and until enjoined by this Court.
`
`
`
`10
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 11 of 41 PageID# 158Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 12 of 42 PageID #: 443
`
`
`24. As a result of the Defendants’ infringing activities, Macronix has suffered and
`
`will continue to suffer damages in an amount yet to be determined. Under 35 U.S.C. §§ 283 and
`
`284, Macronix is entitled to recover damages, as well as permanent injunctive relief against
`
`further infringing activity.
`
`COUNT II
`
`(INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’772 PATENT)
`
`25. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations in
`
`paragraphs 1 – 18 above as if fully set forth herein.
`
`26. Upon information and belief, the Defendants have infringed, and continue to
`
`infringe the ’772 Patent by making, using, offering for sale, and/or selling within the United
`
`States, and/or importing into the United States, products that practice the inventions claimed in
`
`the ’772 Patent, including, but not limited to their S34ML01G1, S34ML02G1, S34ML04G1,
`
`S34ML08G1, S34ML01G2, S34ML04G2, S34MS01G1, and S34MS02G1 NAND Flash
`
`Memory Products. These products are not materially changed after importation, and these acts
`
`of infringement occurred during the term of the process patent. Such infringing products
`
`infringe, literally and/or under the doctrine of equivalents, at least the following valid and
`
`enforceable claims of the ’772 patent: 1, 3-6, and 9.
`
`27. More specifically, on information and belief, the Defendants’ making, using,
`
`offering for sale, and/or selling in the United States, and/or importing into the United States of
`
`each of these NAND Flash Memory Products satisfies all elements of at least the aforementioned
`
`claims of the ’772 patent, literally and/or under the doctrine of equivalents, as follows:
`
`
`
`11
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 12 of 41 PageID# 159Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 13 of 42 PageID #: 444
`
`
`a. Claim 1 recites “[a] process for fabricating a nonvolatile memory cell
`
`comprising.” Regardless of whether the preamble limits the scope of claim
`
`1, the Defendants’ products include nonvolatile memory cells fabricated by a
`
`process.
`
`b. Claim 1 further recites “a) forming source and drain regions on a first
`
`conductivity-type semiconductor substrate.” The Defendants’ products are
`
`fabricated by forming such source and drain regions.
`
`c. Claim 1 further recites “b) forming an insulating layer on said source and
`
`drain regions.” The Defendants’ products are fabricated by forming such an
`
`insulating layer.
`
`d. Claim 1 further recites “c) forming a floating gate positioned on said
`
`insulating layer.” The Defendants’ products are fabricated by forming such a
`
`floating gate.
`
`e. Claim 1 further recites “d) forming a dielectric composite positioned on said
`
`floating gate, said dielectric composite including a bottom layer of silicon
`
`dioxide formed on said floating gate; a layer of silicon nitride formed on said
`
`bottom silicon dioxide layer, and a top layer of silicon dioxide formed on
`
`said nitride layer, wherein said silicon nitride layer of said composite has a
`
`thickness less than about 80 A and is thinner than said top or said bottom
`
`silicon dioxide layer.” The Defendants’ products are fabricated by forming
`
`such a dielectric composite with such bottom and top layers of silicon
`
`dioxide and a layer of silicon nitride.
`
`
`
`12
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 13 of 41 PageID# 160Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 14 of 42 PageID #: 445
`
`
`f. Claim 1 further recites “e) forming a control gate positioned on said
`
`dielectric composite.” The Defendants’ products are fabricated by forming
`
`such a control gate.
`
`g. Claim 3 recites “[a] nonvolatile memory cell according to claim 1 wherein
`
`the capacitively measured effective oxide thickness of said dielectric
`
`insulating composite is equal to or less than about 180 A.” The Defendants’
`
`products are fabricated by forming a nonvolatile memory cell with such an
`
`oxide thickness.
`
`h. Claim 4 further recites “[a] process for fabricating a nonvolatile memory cell
`
`according to claim 1 wherein said bottom and top silicon dioxide layers are
`
`formed by high temperature chemical vapor deposition.” The Defendants’
`
`products are fabricated by forming such bottom and top silicon dioxide layers
`
`by high temperature chemical vapor deposition.
`
`i. Claim 5 further recites “[a] process for fabricating a nonvolatile memory cell
`
`according to claim 1 wherein said bottom silicon dioxide layer has a
`
`thickness between about 25 and 80 A and said top silicon dioxide layer
`
`having a thickness between about 40 and 100 A.” The Defendants’ products
`
`are fabricated by forming such bottom and top silicon dioxide layers.
`
`j. Claim 6 further recites “[a] process for fabricating a nonvolatile memory cell
`
`according to claim 5 wherein the capacitively measured effective oxide
`
`thickness of said dielectric insulating composite is equal to or less than about
`
`180 A.” The Defendants’ products are fabricated by forming a dielectric
`
`insulating composite with such an oxide thickness.
`
`
`
`13
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 14 of 41 PageID# 161Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 15 of 42 PageID #: 446
`
`
`k. Claim 9 recites “[a] process for fabricating a nonvolatile memory cell
`
`comprising.” Regardless of whether the preamble limits the scope of claim
`
`9, the Defendants’ products include nonvolatile memory cells fabricated by a
`
`process.
`
`l. Claim 9 further recites “a) forming source and drain regions on a first
`
`conductivity-type semiconductor substrate.” The Defendants’ products are
`
`fabricated by forming such source and drain regions.
`
`m. Claim 9 further recites “b) forming an insulating layer on said source and
`
`drain regions.” The Defendants’ products are fabricated by forming such an
`
`insulating layer.
`
`n. Claim 9 further recites “c) forming a floating gate positioned on said
`
`insulating layer.” The Defendants’ products are fabricated by forming such a
`
`floating gate.
`
`o. Claim 9 further recites “d) forming a dielectric insulator positioned on said
`
`floating gate, said dielectric insulator including a first silicon dioxide layer
`
`and a second silicon dioxide layer formed by high temperature chemical
`
`vapor deposition on said first silicon dioxide layer.” The Defendants’
`
`products are fabricated by forming such a dielectric insulator.
`
`p. Claim 9 further recites “e) forming a control gate positioned on said
`
`dielectric composite.” The Defendants’ products are fabricated by forming
`
`such a control gate.
`
`28. Upon information and belief, the Defendants’ acts of infringement herein have
`
`been made with full knowledge of Macronix’s rights in the ’772 patent. Such acts constitute
`
`
`
`14
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 15 of 41 PageID# 162Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 16 of 42 PageID #: 447
`
`
`willful and deliberate infringement, entitling Macronix to enhanced damages and reasonable
`
`attorneys’ fees.
`
`29. Upon information and belief, the Defendants’ infringing activities have caused,
`
`and will continue to cause, Macronix irreparable injury unless and until enjoined by this Court.
`
`30. As a result of the Defendants’ infringing activities, Macronix has suffered and
`
`will continue to suffer damages in an amount yet to be determined. Under 35 U.S.C. §§ 283 and
`
`284, Macronix is entitled to recover damages, as well as permanent injunctive relief, against
`
`further infringing activity.
`
`COUNT III
`
`(INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’826 PATENT)
`
`31. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates herein by reference the allegations in
`
`paragraphs 1 – 18 above as if fully set forth herein.
`
`32. Upon information and belief, the Defendants have infringed, and continue to
`
`infringe, the ’826 Patent by making, using, offering for sale, and/or selling within the United
`
`States, and/or importing into the United States, products that practice the inventions claimed in
`
`the ’826 Patent, including, but not limited to their S29PL127J, S29PL064J, S29JL064J,
`
`S29PL032J, S29JL032J, S29CL032J, S29AL016J, S29CL016J, S29AL008J, S29CD032J,
`
`S29CD016J, S29AS016J, S29AS008J, S25FL064K, S25FL116K, S25FL132K, S25FL216K,
`
`S25FL208K, and S25FL204K NOR Floating Gate Flash Memory Products. Such infringing
`
`products infringe, literally and/or under the doctrine of equivalents, at least the following valid
`
`and enforceable claims of the ’826 patent: 1, 2, 5, 7, 11-13, 17, and 27-29.
`
`
`
`15
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 16 of 41 PageID# 163Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 17 of 42 PageID #: 448
`
`
`33. More specifically, on information and belief, the Defendants’ making, using,
`
`offering for sale, and/or selling in the United States, and/or importing into the United States of
`
`each of these NOR Floating Gate Flash Memory Products satisfies all elements of at least the
`
`aforementioned claims of the ’826 patent, literally and/or under the doctrine of equivalents, as
`
`follows:
`
`a. Claim 1 recites “[a] floating gate memory cell in a semiconductor substrate
`
`including a region having a first conductivity type, the first conductivity type
`
`being one of n-type and p-type, and wherein the substrate is coupled to an
`
`external reference supply applying a ground potential and a positive supply
`
`potential, comprising.” Regardless of whether the preamble limits the scope
`
`of claim 1, the Defendants’ products contain such a floating gate memory
`
`cell in a semiconductor substrate.
`
`b. Claim 1 further recites “a first well within the region of the substrate having a
`
`second conductivity type, being one of n-type and p-type and different than
`
`the first conductivity type.” The Defendants’ products contain such a first
`
`well.
`
`c. Claim 1 further recites “a second well within the first well, having the first
`
`conductivity type.” The Defendants’ products contain such a second well.
`
`d. Claim 1 further recites “a drain within the second well, having the second
`
`conductivity type.” The Defendants’ products contain such a drain.
`
`e. Claim 1 further recites “a source within the second well, having the second
`
`conductivity type, and spaced away from the drain to define a channel area
`
`
`
`16
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 17 of 41 PageID# 164Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 18 of 42 PageID #: 449
`
`
`between the drain and the source.” The Defendants’ products contain such a
`
`source and channel area.
`
`f. Claim 1 further recites “a floating gate structure disposed over the channel
`
`area and extending substantially from the source to the drain, including a
`
`floating gate and a tunnel insulator between the floating gate and the
`
`substrate.” The Defendants’ products contain such a floating gate and tunnel
`
`insulator.
`
`g. Claim 1 further recites “a control gate structure over the floating gate,
`
`including a control gate and an insulator between the floating gate and the
`
`control gate.” The Defendants’ products contain such a control gate and
`
`insulator.
`
`h. Claim 1 further recites “circuits to induce tunneling of electrons out of the
`
`floating gate into the channel area of the substrate by applying a positive
`
`voltage higher than the supply potential to the second well, a positive voltage
`
`to the first well, and a negative voltage to the control gate, while the region
`
`of the substrate is grounded.” The Defendants’ products contain such circuits
`
`to induce such tunneling.
`
`i. Claim 2 recites “[t]he floating gate memory cell of claim 1, wherein the first
`
`conductivity type is p-type.” The Defendants’ products contain such a first
`
`conductivity type.
`
`j. Claim 5 recites “[a] floating gate memory array on a semiconductor
`
`substrate, including a region having a first conductivity type, the first
`
`conductivity type being one of n-type and p-type, and wherein the substrate
`
`
`
`17
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 18 of 41 PageID# 165Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 19 of 42 PageID #: 450
`
`
`is coupled to an external reference supply applying a ground potential and a
`
`positive supply potential comprising.” Regardless of whether the preamble
`
`limits the scope of claim 5, the Defendants’ products contain such a floating
`
`gate memory array on such a semiconductor substrate.
`
`k. Claim 5 further recites “a first well within the region of the substrate having a
`
`second conductivity type, being one of n-type and p-type and different than
`
`the first conductivity type.” The Defendants’ products contain such a first
`
`well.
`
`l. Claim 5 further recites “a second well within the first well, having the first
`
`conductivity type.” The Defendants’ products contain such a second well.
`
`m. Claim 5 further recites “an array of floating gate memory cells having
`
`respective drains, sources, channel areas between the respective sources and
`
`drains, floating gates, and control gates over the channel areas, the sources
`
`and drains being within the second well, and having the second conductivity
`
`type.” The Defendants’ products contain such an array of floating gate
`
`memory cells.
`
`n. Claim 5 further recites “voltage supply circuits to induce F-N tunneling of
`
`electrons out of the floating gates into the channel areas of the substrate by
`
`applying a positive voltage higher than the supply potential to the second
`
`well, a positive voltage to the first well, and a negative voltage to the control
`
`gates of selected cells, while the region of the substrate is grounded.” The
`
`Defendants’ products contain such voltage supply circuits to induce such F-N
`
`tunneling.
`
`18
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`Case 3:13-cv-00679-REP Document 17 Filed 11/20/13 Page 19 of 41 PageID# 166Case 1:17-cv-00868-JFB-SRF Document 20-2 Filed 09/05/17 Page 20 of 42 PageID #: 451
`
`
`o. Claim 7 recites “[t]he floating gate memory array of claim 5, wherein the
`
`first conductivity type is p-type.” The Defendants’ products contain such a
`
`first conductivity type.
`
`p. Claim 11 recites “[t]he floating gate memory array of claim 5, wherein the
`
`floating gates of the array of floating gate memory cells are disposed over the
`
`respective channel areas and extend substantially between the respective
`
`sources and drains.” The Defendants’ products

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket