Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd.Download PDFPatent Trials and Appeals BoardJun 8, 2020IPR2020-00248 (P.T.A.B. Jun. 8, 2020) Copy Citation Trials@uspto.gov Paper 8 571-272-7822 Entered: June 8, 2020 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ____________ BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD ____________ SATCO PRODUCTS, INC., Petitioner, v. SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR CO, LTD, Patent Owner. ____________ IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 ____________ Before JEFFREY W. ABRAHAM, JESSICA C. KAISER, and KAMRAN JIVANI Administrative Patent Judges. ABRAHAM, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION Denying Institution of Inter Partes Review 35 U.S.C. § 314 IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 2 I. INTRODUCTION Satco Products, Inc. (“Petitioner”), filed a Petition (Paper 2, “Pet.”) requesting inter partes review of claims 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22 of U.S. Patent No. 9,716,210 B2 (Ex. 1001, “the ’210 patent”). Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd (“Patent Owner”), filed a Preliminary Response to the Petition (Paper 6, “Prelim. Resp.”). We have authority to determine whether to institute an inter partes review. 35 U.S.C. § 314 (2018); 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a) (2019). The standard for instituting an inter partes review is set forth in 35 U.S.C. § 314(a), which provides that an inter partes review may not be instituted “unless the Director determines . . . there is a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” For the reasons set forth below, upon considering the Petition, Preliminary Response, and evidence of record, we determine the information presented in the Petition fails to establish a reasonable likelihood that Petitioner would prevail with respect to at least one of the challenged claims. Accordingly, we deny the Petition, and do not institute an inter partes review. A. Related Proceedings The parties identify Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. v. Satco Products, Inc., Case No. 2:19-cv-04951 (E.D.N.Y.); Seoul Semiconductor Co., LTD v. The Factory Depot Advantages, Inc., Case No. 2:19-cv-05065 (C.D. Cal.); Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. v. Bed Bath and Beyond, Inc., Case No. 2:18- cv-03837 (C.D. Cal). Pet. 1; Paper 5, 1. Patent Owner additionally IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 3 identifies Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd., v. Healthe, Inc., Case No. 6:19-cv- 02264 (M.D. Fla.). Paper 5, 1. B. The ’210 Patent The ’210 patent, titled “Light Emitting Diode and Method of Fabricating the Same,” issued on July 25, 2017. Ex. 1001, code (45), (54). The ’210 patent is directed to a light emitting diode (LED) having “improved electrostatic discharge characteristics and/or luminous efficiency.” Ex. 1001, 1:24–28. The ’210 patent discloses several embodiments of LEDs comprising various layers, including an n-type contact layer, a p-type contact layer, an active region having a multi- quantum well structure, a superlattice layer, an electron reinforcing layer, and a spacer layer disposed between the n-type contact layer and the active region. Ex. 1001, 3:31–4:13. According to the ’210 patent, using different compositions and doping configurations in each layer provides for the desired improvements in LED properties. Ex. 1001:13:60–14:33. For example, the ’210 patent explains that doping only the final layer of the superlattice closest to the active region with high-concentration silicon improves leakage current and electrostatic discharge characteristics of the LED. Ex. 1001, 3:35–44, 8:10–62, 13:60– 65. Additionally, the ’210 patent teaches that the present invention forms the spacer layer formed of the plurality of layers between the contact layer and the active region, thereby making it possible to reduce strain generated in the active region. Further, the present invention can lower the forward voltage Vf in the active region through the spacer layer by selectively doping only the layer adjacent to the active region with the n-type impurity. Ex. 1001, 14:23–26. IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 4 C. Illustrative Claim Petitioner challenges claims 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22 of the ’210 patent. Independent claim 1 is illustrative and is reproduced below: 1. A light emitting diode, comprising: an n-type contact layer, a p-type contact layer disposed over the n-type contact layer; an active region disposed between the n-type contact layer and the p-type contact layer and comprising a multi-quantum well structure including a quantum well layer that includes a composition ratio of Indium (In) and a barrier layer; a superlattice layer including a plurality of layers, disposed near the active region; and a spacer layer including a plurality of layers disposed between the superlattice layer and the n-type contact layer and having a bandgap smaller than that of the barrier layer and greater than that of the quantum well layer. Ex. 1001, 14:40–55. D. The Asserted Unpatentability Challenges Petitioner contends claims 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22 of the ’210 patent are unpatentable based on the following grounds: IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 5 Claim(s) Challenged 35 U.S.C. § Reference(s)/Basis 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, 22 102 Sanga1 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, 22 103 Sanga Petitioner also relies on a declaration from P. Morgan Pattison, Ph.D. (Ex. 1003, “the Pattison Declaration”). II. ANALYSIS A. Claim Construction In an inter partes review, we construe claim terms according to the standard set forth in Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1312–17 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc). 37 C.F.R. § 42.100(b). Under Phillips, claim terms are afforded “their ordinary and customary meaning.” Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1312. “[T]he ordinary and customary meaning of a claim term is the meaning that the term would have to a person of ordinary skill in the art in question at the time of the invention.” Id. at 1313. “Importantly, the person of ordinary skill in the art is deemed to read the claim term not only in the context of the particular claim in which the disputed term appears, but in the context of the entire patent, including the specification.” Id. Petitioner contends that the terms of the ’210 patent should be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meaning. Pet. 8. Although Petitioner contends that no specific construction is required for any terms in the ’210 patent, Petitioner provides information relating to “claim constructions that have been issued, briefed, and/or agreed to” in 1 US 7,462,884 B2, issued Dec. 9, 2008 (Ex. 1004). IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 6 “ongoing litigation between Patent Owner and other parties.” Pet. 8. The claim terms addressed in these district court actions are “multi-quantum well structure,” “barrier layer,” and “superlattice layer.” Pet. 8–20. Patent Owner provides a construction for the claim language requiring that the “spacer layer” have “a bandgap smaller than that of the barrier layer and greater than that of the quantum well layer.” Prelim. Resp. 28 (referring to this as the “bandgap limitation” for the spacer layer), 31–32. Patent Owner, however, argues that Petitioner’s arguments fail regardless of how the bandgap limitation is construed. Prelim. Resp. 36. After reviewing the parties’ arguments and evidence, we determine that we do not need to expressly construe any terms for purposes of this Decision. See Nidec Motor Corp. v. Zhongshan Broad Ocean Motor Co., 868 F.3d 1013, 1017 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (citing Vivid Techs., Inc. v. Am. Sci. & Eng’g, Inc., 200 F.3d 795, 803 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (“[O]nly those terms need be construed that are in controversy, and only to the extent necessary to resolve the controversy.”)). B. Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art Petitioner contends that a person of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the ’210 patent would have had “a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, materials engineering, or electrical engineering (with a focus on semiconductor materials), or similar advanced postgraduate education in this area, as well as at least 2 years of experience relating to LED design and fabrication.” Pet. 7 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶¶ 23–27). Petitioner also contends that “[a] person with less education but more relevant practical experience, depending on the nature of that experience and degree of exposure to LED fabrication and design (including the involved materials, chemistry, and IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 7 physics), could also qualify” as a person of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the ’210 patent. Pet. 7. Patent Owner does not appear to dispute this proposed definition. See generally Prelim. Resp. Neither party argues that the outcome of this case would differ based on our adoption of any particular definition of one of ordinary skill in the art. In light of the record before us, for purposes of this Decision, we adopt Petitioner’s proposal regarding the level of one of ordinary skill in the art. The level of ordinary skill in the art is also reflected by the prior art of record. See Okajima v. Bourdeau, 261 F.3d 1350, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2001). C. Claims 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22 — Alleged Anticipation by Sanga Petitioner contends Sanga anticipates claims 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22. Pet. 26–46. Petitioner directs us to portions of Sanga that purportedly disclose all the limitations of the challenged claims, and also relies on the Pattison Declaration to support its arguments. 1. Sanga (Ex. 1004) Sanga is directed to a nitride semiconductor device for use in a light emitting device such as an LED. Ex. 1004, 1:6–9. Sanga aims to improve electrostatic discharge (ESD) tolerance in semiconductor devices “by preventing uneven distribution of the electric current in the p-side nitride semiconductor layer.” Ex. 1004, 3:10–14. Sanga discloses several embodiments and examples of semiconductor devices having multiple layers, including a description of the composition and orientation of each layer. See Ex. 1004, 6:25–25:47, Figs. 1, 3–5. IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 8 2. Analysis Independent claim 1 of the ’210 patent requires an n-type contact layer, a p-type contact layer, a barrier layer in an active region comprising a multi-quantum well structure, a superlattice layer, and “a spacer layer including a plurality of layers disposed between the superlattice layer and the n-type contact layer and having a bandgap smaller than that of the barrier layer and greater than that of the quantum well layer.” Ex. 1001, 14:40–55. Petitioner contends that the claimed spacer layer is “simply a nitride based semiconductor layer that includes multiple layers, which layers may be doped with an n-type impurity (see claim 4), and which has a smaller bandgap energy than that of the barrier layer and a larger bandgap energy than that of the well layer.” Pet. 32–33 (citing Ex. 1001, 10:5–16). Petitioner argues that n-side multilayer 10 of Sanga’s Example 1 corresponds to the claimed spacer layer, noting that in Example 1, multilayer 10 is positioned between the superlattice layer and the n-type contact layer. Pet. 33–34 (citing Ex. 1004, 23:7–36, Fig. 5). Petitioner further argues that “in its simplest form, the n-side multilayer 10 is a nitride based semiconductor having a layer of GaN and a layer of In0.03Ga0.97N.” Pet. 34 (citing Ex. 1004, 23:8–20). With regard to bandgap energy, Petitioner asserts that it was known in the art that indium has the effect of lowering the bandgap energy of GaN- based semiconductors. Pet. 23 (citing Ex. 1003 ¶¶ 35–36; Ex. 10052; Ex. 2 Kuramoto, US 2006/0097242 A1, published May 11, 2006 (Ex. 1005). IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 9 10063). In particular, Petitioner directs us to Exhibit 1005, which teaches that the band gap of a given layer is widened (increased) by decreasing the indium ratio in an InGaN composition, and that a GaN layer has a larger bandgap than an InGaN layer. Ex. 1005 ¶ 7; Pet. 23–24. Similarly, Petitioner contends that Exhibit 1006 teaches that the bandgap energy of a layer decreases as the indium concentration increases. Ex. 1006, Fig. 8; Pet. 24–25. Based on this knowledge, Petitioner asserts that the indium content of the In0.03Ga0.97N layer lowers the bandgap of n-side multilayer 10 of Sanga’s Example 1 such that the bandgap of n-side multilayer 10 is lower than that of the GaN barrier layer in Example 1, which contains no indium. Pet. 35. Petitioner further asserts that the bandgap of n-side multilayer 10 is higher than the bandgap of the quantum well layer in Example 1, which is composed of In0.3Ga0.97N, and therefore has a much higher indium content (30% vs 3%). Pet. 35. Petitioner thus concludes that “the n-side multilayer of Example 1 has a bandgap energy that is lower than the barrier layer and has a bandgap energy higher than the quantum well layer.” Pet. 36. Patent Owner contends that Petitioner fails to show that Sanga discloses that n-side multilayer 10 has “a bandgap smaller than that of the barrier layer and greater than that of the quantum well layer,” as claim 1 requires. Prelim. Resp. 28. Patent Owner asserts that Petitioner’s arguments are flawed because Petitioner focuses only on the In0.03Ga0.97N layer within Sanga’s n-side multilayer 10 when addressing the bandgap limitation, and 3 O’Donnell et al., Structural analysis of InGaN epilayers, J. PHYSICS: CONDENSED MATTER, Vol. 13, No. 32, 6977–6991 (August 2001) (Ex. 1006). IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 10 seemingly ignores the GaN layer. Prelim. Resp. 35–37. According to Patent Owner, “[t]here is no basis in the claim language to focus on some layers that compose the ‘spacer layer’ and ignore others. The bandgap limitation applies to the ‘spacer layer’—not selected layers within the ‘spacer layer.’” Prelim. Resp. 38. Patent Owner also points out that Petitioner’s approach conflicts with the teachings of Sanga, which states that when comparing the bandgap of multilayer structures with the bandgap of other layers, the layer with the largest bandgap within the multilayer structure should be used to perform the comparison. Prelim. Resp. 39–40. Patent Owner thus argues that if Petitioner had followed Sanga’s teachings, it would have selected the bandgap of the GaN layers within Sanga’s n-side multilayer 10 to compare against the bandgap of the barrier and quantum well layers. Prelim. Resp. 40. Additionally, Patent Owner argues that to the extent Petitioner considers Sanga’s n-side multilayer 10 to be a single layer containing some indium for purposes of the bandgap comparison, “there is no basis to treat the bandgap of a multilayer, superlattice structure composed of layers having different compositions as equivalent to the bandgap of a single layer having the same average composition.” Prelim. Resp. 39. Finally, Patent Owner argues that other phenomena besides layer composition affect the bandgap of multilayer structures. Prelim. Resp. 42. These phenomena include strain, piezoelectric fields, and the hybridization effect. Prelim. Resp. 42–44. Patent Owner asserts that Petitioner fails to account for these phenomena when addressing the bandgap of Sanga’s n- side multilayer 10 in Example 1. Prelim. Resp. 44–46. IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 11 We agree with Patent Owner that Petitioner has failed to satisfy its burden of demonstrating that Sanga discloses a spacer layer having a bandgap smaller than the bandgap of the barrier layer, as claim 1 requires. In particular, we are not persuaded that Petitioner’s evidence regarding the bandgap of the In0.03Ga0.97N layer in n-side multilayer 10 is sufficient to demonstrate that Sanga discloses the bandgap limitation of the spacer layer, as recited in claim 1. Referring to Example 1 in Sanga, Petitioner has provided evidence that Sanga discloses a spacer layer (n-side multilayer 10) that includes at least one GaN layer and one In0.03Ga0.97N layer, i.e., a plurality of layers. Pet. 33–34; Ex. 1004, 14:56–15:3, 23:7–36. Petitioner has also provided evidence that the bandgap of the In0.03Ga0.97N layer in n-side multilayer 10 is smaller than the bandgap of the GaN barrier layer in Sanga Example 1 based on the relative indium concentrations in each layer. Pet. 23–24, 35–36; Ex. 1004, 23:20–22; Ex. 1005 ¶ 7; Ex. 1006, Fig. 8. Petitioner, however, does not present evidence regarding the bandgap of any other layer in n-side multilayer 10 of Example 1 or compare those bandgap values with the bandgap of the barrier layer of Example 1. Nor does Petitioner explain adequately any rationale for using the bandgap of the In0.03Ga0.97N layer that comprises only part of n-side multilayer 10 to determine that the overall bandgap of n-side multilayer 10 is smaller than the bandgap of the barrier layer of Example 1. On its face, claim 1 requires a comparison between the bandgap of the spacer layer and the bandgap of the barrier layer. Nothing in the claim language suggests that this limitation can be satisfied by comparing the bandgap of one specific layer of the spacer layer to the bandgap of the IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 12 barrier layer. By way of contrast, claim 4 recites that “at least one layer of the plurality of layers in the spacer layer positioned adjacent to the active region is doped with n-type impurities.” Ex. 1001, 14:62–65. Thus, for some claims, the inventors used claim language to focus on the constituent layers of the spacer layer. As Patent Owner points out, however, claim 1 contains no such language with regard to the bandgap of the spacer layer. Prelim. Resp. 34–35. Additionally, when discussing the spacer layer, the ’210 patent describes an exemplary embodiment wherein “spacer layer 128 may have a structure in which (Al, In, Ga)N-based group III-nitride semiconductor layers 128a and 128b hav[e] a smaller bandgap than that of the barrier layer of the active region 129.” Ex. 1001, 10:40–44. This language suggests that for a spacer layer having a plurality of layers, each layer of the spacer layer has a bandgap that is smaller than the bandgap of the barrier layer. As noted above, Petitioner did not address the bandgap of all of the layers in n-side multilayer 10, and thus has presented no argument that each layer in Sanga’s purported “spacer layer” has a bandgap smaller than that of the barrier layer. Prelim. Resp. 36. As a result, Petitioner is left to rely on the bandgap of the In0.03Ga0.97N layer alone as the basis for determining the bandgap of the entire spacer layer. Petitioner’s approach, however, is inconsistent with explicit evidence in the record relating to comparing the bandgap of a multilayered structure with the bandgap of other layers. This evidence appears in Sanga, which states: When the p-side wide band gap multilayer 12 has a structure in which layers having different band gaps are alternately stacked, the bandgap of a layer having the largest band gap in the p-side IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 13 wide band gap multilayer is considered when comparing the band gap of the p-side wide band gap multilayer 12 with other layers. Ex. 1004, 16:30–35 (emphasis added). As noted above, Petitioner presents evidence demonstrating that a GaN layer has a larger bandgap than an InGaN layer. Pet. 24; Ex. 1005 ¶ 7. Thus, to the extent a person of ordinary skill in the art would have followed Sanga’s teaching when comparing the bandgap of n-side multilayer 10 with the bandgap of the barrier layer in Sanga Example 1, the skilled artisan would have used the bandgap of the GaN layer in n-side multilayer 10 for the comparison, not the bandgap of the In0.03Ga0.97N layer. We thus agree with Patent Owner that Petitioner’s approach conflicts with the teachings of Sanga, the prior art reference upon which Petitioner bases its unpatentability arguments. Setting aside the specific teachings of Sanga, we agree with Patent Owner that for purposes of determining the overall bandgap of n-side multilayer 10, Petitioner appears to treat n-side multilayer 10, which is composed of multiple layers having different compositions, as a single layer having the same average composition. Prelim. Resp. 39; see also Pet. 35 (arguing that “[t]he indium content of the In0.03Ga0.97N layer lowers the bandgap energy of the multilayer, such that the bandgap of the n-side multilayer 10 is lower than that of the GaN barrier layer”). Petitioner, however, does not direct us to evidence sufficient to support a conclusion that the presence of indium in the In0.03Ga0.97N layer of n-side multilayer 10 necessarily lowers the overall bandgap of n-side multilayer 10, which contains at least one other layer having a different composition, such that its bandgap is smaller than that of the GaN barrier layer in Sanga’s Example 1. This is especially true considering Patent Owner directs us to evidence IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 14 suggesting that material composition alone is not determinative of the bandgap of a multilayer structure. Prelim. Resp. 43–44. For example, Exhibits 2004 and 2005 indicate that strain, piezoelectric effects, and hybridization effects can affect the bandgap of such structures. Ex. 2004, 6336 (stating that “electric fields induced by the piezoeffect dramatically change the band diagram of GaN-AlGaN and GaInN GaN superlattices”); Ex. 2005, 19 (indicating that the bandgap can be “dominated by the hybridization effect” which can “increase[]” the bandgap); Prelim. Resp. 43– 44. Petitioner bears the burden of demonstrating that the prior art discloses a “spacer layer including a plurality of layers . . . and having a bandgap smaller than that of the barrier layer,” and has not presented evidence sufficient to satisfy that burden. In view of this, we determine that Petitioner has failed to demonstrate adequately that Sanga discloses all limitations of claim 1, and, as a result, Petitioner has not shown a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail with respect to its argument that Sanga anticipates claim 1. Similar to claim 1, independent claim 9 requires a spacer layer that includes a first and second semiconductor layer and has a bandgap smaller than that of the barrier layer and greater than that of the quantum well layer. Ex. 1001, 15:44–16:9. Petitioner relies on the same arguments for the bandgap limitation in claim 9 as it did for claim 1, which we do not find persuasive. Pet. 42–43. Accordingly, for the reasons discussed above, we determine Petitioner has not shown a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail with respect to its argument that Sanga anticipates claim 9. IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 15 Claims 3 and 4 each depend from claim 1, and, therefore, include all of the limitations of claim 1. Ex. 1001, 14:59–65; see 37 C.F.R. § 1.75(c) (“Claims in dependent form shall be construed to include all the limitations of the claim incorporated by reference into the dependent claim.”). Claims 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22 depend, directly or indirectly, from claim 9, and, therefore, include all of the limitations of claim 9. Ex. 1001, 16:10–17, 16:22–24, 16:37–42, 16:47–52. In view of our determination that Petitioner fails to establish that Sanga discloses all limitations of claims 1 and 9, we reach the same result for claims 3, 4, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22. D. Claims 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22 — Alleged Obviousness over Sanga Petitioner contends claims 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 19, 21, and 22 are unpatentable as obvious in view of Sanga. Pet. 46–55. Petitioner directs us to portions of Sanga that purportedly teach or suggest all the limitations of the challenged claims, and also relies on the Pattison Declaration to support its arguments. In its obviousness challenges, Petitioner does not present new arguments regarding the spacer layer and bandgap limitations in claims 1 and 9, instead relying on the arguments it previously made in asserting that Sanga anticipates claims 1 and 9. Because none of Petitioner’s obviousness arguments address the deficiencies identified above, we determine that Petitioner has failed to demonstrate adequately that Sanga teaches or suggests all limitations of claims 1 and 9, and, as a result, Petitioner has not shown a reasonable likelihood that it would prevail with respect to its argument that claims 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 22 are unpatentable as obvious over Sanga. IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 16 III. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, Petitioner has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim of the ’210 patent is unpatentable over the prior art of record. Accordingly, we decline to institute inter partes review. IV. ORDER It is hereby ORDERED that the Petition is denied, and no trial is instituted. IPR2020-00248 Patent 9,716,210 B2 17 For PETITIONER: Heath J. Briggs Barry J. Schindler Andrew Sommer GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP briggsh@gtlaw.com schindlerb@gtlaw.com sommera@gtlaw.com For PATENT OWNER: Charles H. Sanders Jonathan M. Strang LATHAM & WATKINS LLP charles.sanders@lw.com jonathan.strang@lw.com Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation