Applied Materials says patent does not infringe

Applied Materials Inc. said Tuesday that it believes its SunFab thin film solar tandem junction technology does not infringe on a European patent held by the University of Neuchatel in Switzerland.

Applied Materials, which is a chip production equipment maker, said in a statement that its "unique and proprietary manufacturing process and tandem junction cell structure are the result of substantial research and development."

The company said it believes it is not infringing on the university's patent due to differences between its SunFab technology and the patent's claims.

Applied Materials spokesman David Miller said the release is related to legal action taken earlier in June by Oerlikon Solar, which is a unit of Switzerland-based OC Oerlikon Corp. AG, against Germany-based Sunfilm AG.

Oerlikon is alleging that SunFilm is infringing on the same patent Applied Materials referred to Tuesday. Oerlikon said on June 11 that it holds an exclusive license to the patent, which it obtained from the university in 2003.

Miller said Applied Materials had received some questions from customers and the company decided to put out a statement to respond.

He said Applied Materials has not been contacted by Oerlikon Solar or the University of Neuchatel in relation to any interest in taking legal action against Applied Materials in relation to the patent.

Sunfilm has awarded Applied Materials two contracts for the installation of applied SunFab thin film production lines _ the second of which Applied Materials announced in May.

The production lines are used to make tandem junction silicon thin-film photovoltaic cells.

An Oerlikon Solar spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Shares of Applied Materials added 34 cents to $20.09 in afternoon trading.