Akoustis Bows Out of $39M IP War, Drops Appeal Amid Bankruptcy Battle

By Editorial Team

After months of courtroom battles and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Akoustis Technologies Inc. has decided to end its legal dispute with semiconductor giant Qorvo Inc. by dropping its appeal of a $39 million jury verdict. The verdict accused Akoustis of willfully stealing trade secrets and infringing on key patents.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit approved a joint motion from both companies to dismiss the case, bringing an end to a contentious legal saga that had significant implications for the radio frequency tech sector. The court ruled that each party would be responsible for their own legal costs, signaling a mutual agreement to cease hostilities.

The Verdict That Rocked Akoustis

The conflict between Akoustis and Qorvo began in May 2024 when a Delaware federal jury found Akoustis guilty of misappropriating over three dozen Qorvo trade secrets and infringing on two patents. The jury awarded Qorvo $31.3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $7 million in punitive damages.

The jury's decision to label the misappropriation as willful was particularly damaging to Akoustis, painting the company as a deliberate infringer rather than an accidental one. Qorvo argued that the stolen trade secrets included critical processes, designs, and strategies that were vital to its competitive edge in the semiconductor industry.

As Akoustis navigates its bankruptcy proceedings, the resolution of this legal battle marks a significant turning point for the company and the broader tech industry.

Tags: Akoustis $39M IP Bankruptcy, Chapter 11, Federal Circuit, Patent Infringement, Qorvo, Trade Secrets