"Heraeus has invested significant resources in people, equipment, facilities and technology to develop differentiated and innovative products that add value to our direct customers and the photovoltaic industry," says Andreas Liebheit, Head of Heraeus Photovoltaics Global Business Unit. "We nor other suppliers in this industry can justify continuous major investments in intellectual property development if we do not defend our intellectual property against infringement. Fair competition encourages the development and improvement of technology which benefits the entire industry." And Liebheit continues: "It is important for us and the industry to challenge potential violators who can potential hinder the technological advancement of the PV industry. If suppliers are not able to gain full economic benefit from investments in technology and intellectual property, then why should anyone invest? We will defend all our technology for the long term benefit of the industry."
Heraeus seeks damages for infringement, including treble damages for willful infringement, and a permanent injunction to prevent the manufacture, use, offer for sale and sale of Giga Solar’s front side silver paste products (including No.590, 590A, 600, 610 and 620).
About the Heraeus Photovoltaics Global Business Unit
The Heraeus Photovoltaics Business Unit is an industry leading developer and manufacturer of silver metallization pastes for the photovoltaic industry. For over 40 years, Heraeus has built a reputation of innovation, extensive research and new product development in thick film technologies for some of the most prominent companies within a variety of industries. In the field of photovoltaics, the Heraeus Photovoltaics Business Unit applies this history and its innovative technology to offer metallization pastes for solar cell applications. The Heraeus SOL Series of silver pastes is specially formulated to provide higher efficiencies and wider processing windows, resulting in better yields and higher output for cell manufacturers.
