碳化矽 (SiC) 專利監控

提供電力電子SiC相關專利活動的最新數據：新增專利申請、新授權專利、過期或過期或放棄的專利、最新專利轉讓、專利訴訟和異議等。

我們服務的主要特點

每個季度，我們都會提供更新的 Excel 資料庫，其中包含：

• 新專利族
• 新獲得專利
• 過期或廢棄的專利
• 智慧財產權 (IP) 轉讓（重新分配、授權）和 IP 合作（聯合申請）
• 專利訴訟和異議
• 專利依價值鏈中的位置和技術課題分類：體、基板、二極體、MOSFET（溝槽、平面）、封裝、模組、熱問題、寄生、晶片連接、電路、應用等。

我們將向您發送季度 PDF 報告：

• 季度間主要數據
• 專利狀態變化：附圖表和解釋
• 主要IP公司及技術詳細分析

IP 分析師存取權限（每年 100 小時）：

• 與IP分析師的問答與討論：季度分析結果、趨勢、分析、具體專利技術、公司在電力電子SiC領域的IP組合等。

為什麼現在推出功率SiC專利監測服務？

去年的分析指出，全球 SiC 功率元件的智慧財產權 (IP) 競爭加劇。同時，許多歷史悠久的智慧財產權公司和智慧財產權領導者以前專注於在特定地區保護其發明，現在正在新的地區（特別是歐洲和中國）申請專利。隨著電動車 (EV) 推動新興電力碳化矽市場的發展，各公司正相應調整其智慧財產權策略。其他以前較少參與專利活動的大公司現在也開始保護與碳化矽功率裝置相關的新發明。考慮到建立強大的 SiC 供應鏈所需的投資水平，專利可以成為早期 SiC 公司在新競爭對手進入市場時確保市場佔有率的重要槓桿。

此外，自2015年以來，中國研究機構和企業的發明活動逐漸增加。2023年，中國企業將產生超過70%的功率SiC專利出版品。2022 年，KnowMade 發佈了基於中國企業在整個 SiC 供應鏈中的專利活動對新興中國 SiC 生態系統的分析。儘管此類專利的品質可能會受到質疑，但這種情況對尋求在中國發展製造和業務的半導體市場全球競爭對手提出了新的課題。

2021年，功率SiC市場的兩家早期領先公司因利用與平面MOSFET技術相關的兩項基礎專利以及潛在的智慧財產權使用費而被美國學術組織提起訴訟。由於自 2022 年以來，大多數 SiC 功率元件領域的主要公司在授予的專利方面都顯著提高了其智慧財產權地位，預計未來幾年 SiC 公司之間的訴訟案件可能會增加。IP活動的加速對於溝槽MOSFET技術來說是一個更敏感的問題，這可能成為功率SiC市場的主要方向之一。然而，MOSFET 已成為一個非常繁瑣的 IP 空間，使得新進入者很難保護新的閘極溝槽設計。

重要的是，一些公司在功率碳化矽市場缺乏雄心勃勃的智慧財產權策略。這種情況表明，重大舉措（智慧財產權/製造合作夥伴關係、併購等）將進一步重塑 SiC 專利格局。

在此背景下，監控主要公司的專利活動和智慧財產權策略極為重要。這些知識可以幫助您瞭解競爭對手的研發路線圖和策略、評估風險並發現商機。SiC 的專利監控服務利用每季更新一次的 Excel 資料庫，讓您能夠從季度分析報告以及與分析師的直接互動中受益。

專利監測服務優勢

您可以觀察競爭對手的知識產權活動和未來意圖。

利用專利監控服務瞭解競爭對手目前的專利活動、智慧財產權趨勢、專利轉移（包括收購和授權）、專利訴訟、技術開發和研發策略。此外，可以在早期發現進入該業務領域的新進入者。

我們瞭解最新的技術趨勢並預測技術趨勢。

追蹤最近的專利申請可以讓您追蹤您所在領域的最新創新。獲取已提交發明的詳細資訊並追蹤技術發展。受新技術解決方案的啟發，研究和開發活動可能會得到改善。

您可以防止註冊對您的業務有害的智慧財產權。

隨時瞭解在授予專有權之前提交的專利申請，並迅速採取行動，防止可能損害您業務的智慧財產權註冊。

快速回應違規行為並降低法律風險。

透過監控新授予的專利定期評估您的經營自由度，確保您的產品和工藝不受專利保護，並且您擁有他人擁有的有效智慧財產權，並確保其可以製造、銷售。

利用免費技術降低研發專案的風險。

透過追蹤過期和廢棄的專利，您可以識別公共領域中可以安全用於您的開發的發明。

瞭解競爭對手的知識產權趨勢和知識產權策略

每個季度，我們都會對主要IP公司和主要專利技術提供過去三個月的IP趨勢的詳細分析。分析了主要專利申請人及其發明、被阻止的專利、有希望的專利以及主要的新到期或放棄的專利。

接觸知識產權分析師

透過問答環節和公開討論（每年 100 小時），您可以獲得有關特定專利技術和公司智慧財產權組合的具體資訊。

目錄

介紹

季度市場概覽

• 每季的智慧財產權活動
• SiC IP的主要領域
• 主要SiC IP公司
• 新專利族
  • 主要公司在整個供應鏈中推動功率SiC專利收購活動
  • 非凡的新發明
  • 主要IP公司和新IP公司
• 第一個專利族獲得授權
  • 領先公司加強整個供應鏈的智慧財產權地位
  • 值得注意的新專利
  • 主要專利持有者
• 過期或廢棄的專利
  • 失去專利的主要智慧財產權持有者
  • 值得注意的過期專利
• IP轉讓與IP協作
• 美國訴訟和歐洲反對

重點關注主要企業（季度）

• 季度知識產權活動和關鍵專利的描述。
  • ROHM
  • Infineon
  • Sumitomo Electric
  • Mitsubishi Electric

Get updated data on SiC-related patent activity for power electronics: New patent applications, patents newly granted, expired or abandoned patents, latest patent transfers, patent litigations and oppositions.

Key Features of the service

Every quarter an up-to-date Excel database including:

• New patent families
• Patent applications newly granted
• Expired or abandoned patents
• Transfer of IP rights (re-assignment, licensing) and IP collaborations (co-filings)
• Patent litigations and oppositions
• Patents categorized by position in the value chain and technological challenges: Bulk, substrates, diodes, MOSFET (trench, planar), packaging, modules, thermal issues, parasitics, die-attach, circuits, applications, etc.

Every quarter a PDF report including:

• Key fact & figures of the quarter
• Graphs and comments covering the patent landscape evolutions
• A close look at the key IP players and technologies

Access to IP analyst for 100h per year:

• Q&A sessions and discussions with our IP analysts regarding quarterly report results, trends, analyses, specific patented technologies, or companies' IP portfolios in the field of SiC for power electronics.

Why implementing a power SiC patent monitoring service now?

In the Silicon Carbide (SiC) IP landscape 2022, KnowMade pointed out that the global intellectual property (IP) competition for SiC power devices was on the rise. On the one hand, many well-established IP players and IP leaders, who used to focus on certain regions to protect their inventions, were now patenting their inventions in additional geographical areas, especially in Europe and China. As electric vehicles (EV) were driving the emerging power SiC market, companies had been adapting their IP strategies accordingly. On the other hand, notable market players that hadn't been significantly involved in the patenting activity, started protecting new inventions related to SiC power devices. Considering the level of investments that has been required to establish a robust SiC supply chain, patents may be an important tool for early SiC companies to secure their market share as new competitors enter the market.

Furthermore, Chinese research organizations and companies have progressively ramped up their inventive activity since 2015. In 2023, Chinese players have produced more than 70% of all power SiC patent publications. In 2022, KnowMade released an analysis of the emerging Chinese SiC ecosystem based on the patenting activities of Chinese players across the SiC supply chain. Even though the quality of such patents may be questioned, this situation brings about new challenges for global competitors in the semiconductor market looking to develop their manufacturing and business activities in China.

In 2021, two of the main early players in the power SiC market were sued by a US academic player, leveraging two fundamental patents related to planar MOSFET technology, to seek damages and get potential royalties from their IP. In the next few years, more litigation cases are expected between SiC players, as most of the main players in the SiC power device landscape have significantly improved their IP position since 2022, in terms of granted patents. The acceleration of IP activities is even more sensitive for trench MOSFET technology, which may become one of the main directions for the power SiC market. Yet it has become a very busy IP space, making it difficult for challengers to protect new gate trench designs.

Importantly, several players apparently lack an IP strategy consistent with their ambitions in the power SiC market. This situation suggests that important moves (IP/manufacturing partnerships, M&A, ...) are yet to come, further reshaping the SiC patent landscape.

In this context, it is crucial to monitor patent activity and IP strategies of key players. Such knowledge can assist in understanding your competitors' R&D roadmap and strategies, evaluate the risks, and detect business opportunities. The SiC patent monitoring service allows you to take advantage of a quarterly-updated Excel database and benefit from both quarterly analysis reports and direct interaction with our analysts.

Benefits of the patent monitoring service

Keep a watch on your competitors' IP activities and their future intentions.

With the help of the patent monitoring service, you will be aware of your competitors' current patenting activities, their IP dynamics, patent transfers including acquisitions and licenses, patent litigation, technology development and R&D strategies. You will also be able to early detect new entrants in your business area.

Keep track of the latest technology developments and be ahead of technology trends.

By keeping note of any recent patent filings, you can track the newest innovations in the field. You will get details on claimed inventions and you can follow technology developments. New technical solutions could inspire and improve your R&D activity.

Prevent registration of IP rights that may be harmful to your business.

You will obtain information on patent applications filed even before exclusive rights have been granted and you can react in time to prevent registration of IP rights that may be harmful to your business.

React in time to infringements and mitigate legal risks.

Monitoring newly-issued patents allows you to regularly assess your freedom-to-operate, ensuring your products or processes are not covered by patents, and thus that they can be manufactured, sold or used safely without infringing valid IP rights owned by others.

Take advantage of free technologies and decrease R&D project risks.

By tracking both expired patents and abandoned patents, you will be able to identify inventions entering the public domain that you can use safely for your development.

Understand the current IP trends and IP strategy of competitors

On a quarterly basis, the report will provide the IP trends over the three last months, with a close look to key IP players and key patented technologies. Main patent applicants and their inventions, blocking patents, promising patents and key patents newly expired or abandoned will be highlighted.

Access to the IP analyst

Take advantage of direct interaction with our analysts by phone call and/or email and get specific input for specific patented technologies and company IP portfolios through Q&A session and open discussion (100h a year).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

• Context
• Methodology
• Content

QUARTER OVERVIEW

• IP activity of the quarter
• Main SiCIP segments
• Main Power SiCIP players

• New patent families
  • Main players driving the power SiC patenting activity across the supply chain
  • Notable new inventions
  • Main IP players and IP new comers

• Patent families granted for the first time
  • Main players reinforcing their IP position across the supply chain
  • Notable new granted patents
  • Main patent owners

• Expired or abandoned patents
  • Main IP players losing patents
  • Notable dead patents

• IP transfers and IP collaborations
• US litigations and European oppositions

FOCUS ON KEY PLAYERS OF THE QUARTER

• IP activity of the quarter and description of key patents.
  • ROHM
  • Infineon
  • Sumitomo Electric
  • Mitsubishi Electric