A major legal dispute involving Dutch semiconductor company Nexperia has taken a new turn, with the Nijmegen-based chipmaker confirming it is seeking $2 billion (€1.9 billion) in damages from its former Chinese parent company Wingtech, Nexperia China and former CEO Wing Zhang.
The case is the latest chapter in a conflict that has drawn attention far beyond the business world, touching on issues of intellectual property, national security and Europe’s efforts to safeguard critical technology.
Nexperia confirmed on Thursday that several lawsuits are currently underway in both the Netherlands and China. Earlier this week, Wingtech disclosed that Nexperia had filed legal proceedings against the company.
The dispute stems from events that unfolded last year, when the Dutch government intervened at Nexperia amid concerns that key parts of the European chipmaker could be moved to China. Around the same time, the Enterprise Chamber suspended then-CEO Wing Zhang over suspected mismanagement. The developments triggered a diplomatic dispute between the Netherlands and China and deepened divisions between the company’s European and Chinese operations.
Today, Nexperia China operates independently from the Dutch-based company. According to Nexperia, the conflict has had “significant negative consequences” for its business and has resulted in damages that it currently estimates at $2 billion.
The company also pointed to a recent ruling from the District Court of The Hague, which stated that Nexperia China cannot rely on a Chinese court decision within Europe to limit Nexperia Netherlands’ ability to protect its intellectual property rights.
Nexperia maintains that its Dutch entity remains the worldwide owner of the group’s intellectual property, including patents related to semiconductor products, manufacturing processes and trademarks.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
