In an oral decision issued today, the European Patent Office (EPO) revoked
European Patent No. EP 0 871 979 issued to the University
of Neuchatel (the Neuchatel patent), which pertains to solar photovoltaic
(PV) technology. The Neuchatel patent is the subject of a lawsuit filed in Germany
by OC Oerlikon Balzers AG, Liechtenstein alleging patent infringement against
an Applied Materials thin film solar customer.
Following oral proceedings held on March 31 in Berlin, Germany, the EPO panel
ruled that the Neuchatel patent is invalid in its entirety and accordingly revoked
the patent. The University of Neuchatel may appeal this decision to an EPO Board
of Appeal.
Applied Materials’ product offering for manufacturing thin film solar
PV modules – the Applied SunFab™ line – is a fully integrated
production line that delivers leading-edge manufacturing capability using advanced
engineering, process equipment, diagnostics, automation and emissions abatement
systems. Adapted from production-proven processes including Applied’s
market-leading PECVD system, the SunFab line is the only production line for
manufacturing ultra-large 5.7 m2 thin film solar PV modules. Each line can be
configured with single or tandem junction technology and is optimized to lower
customers’ manufacturing costs.