NXP sues Marvell over Xbox NFC chips

NXP Semiconductors has filed a patent infringement suit against rival chip maker Marvell, claiming that the NFC chips supplied by Marvell to Microsoft for use in the Xbox One video gaming console infringe four of its patents.

NXPThe chip maker confirmed to NFC World+ today it was “protecting its valuable intellectual property rights”, after news of its legal action against the “wilful and deliberate” patent infringement emerged.

“The lawsuit alleges that Marvell and its parent company violated NXP’s intellectual property when they sold near field communication chips for Microsoft’s Xbox One console, which has sold more than 24 million units,” Law360 reported. “Claiming the infringement has been ‘wilful and deliberate’, NXP is seeking a determination of infringement, triple damages, attorneys’ fees and a permanent injunction.”

“The patents-in-suit are US Patent Numbers 5,939,791; 7,039,133; 8,185,050; and 8,203,432”, Law360 adds. “The case is NXP BV v Marvell Semiconductor Inc et al, case number 5:15-cv-00290, in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.”

“Protecting its valuable intellectual property rights, NXP can confirm that it has filed suit on four patents directed towards Marvell’s NFC products”, the chip maker has told NFC World+. Marvell has not responded to requests for comment.

Next: Visit the NFCW Expo to find new suppliers and solutions

2 comments on this article

  1. Looking at the patents why did this end up at NFC world? They are prozess related, bt, wifi, uhf oh yes and an icode one which is for sure not used in the xbox.
    Its a combo chip and they get hit on the wifi, bt part.
    Seems a bit misinformed, or?

    1. NXP appears to believe this is concerned with NFC:

      “Protecting its valuable intellectual property rights, NXP can confirm that it has filed suit on four patents directed towards Marvell’s NFC products”, the chip maker has told NFC World+.

Comments are closed.