Semiconductors

Semiconductors lie at the core of modern computing. Improvements in semiconductor technology from smaller geometries enabling higher speeds and lower power consumption, improved integration and packaging, and innovative architectures are fundamentally changing computer technologies.

As such the IP landscape surrounding semiconductors is among the most complex and politically driven in the tech world. With growing geopolitical tensions and strategic shifts in global manufacturing and supply chains, semiconductor companies must think globally and precisely when it comes to IP.

At HGF, we work with clients developing chip architectures, fabrication methods, and next-generation materials at the frontier of performance. Changes such as the US CHIPS Act and EU CHIPS Act are reshaping supply chains and investment patterns, prompting IP strategies that respond to new manufacturing geographies and legal frameworks.

Balancing patent protection and trade secret strategy is particularly critical in the semiconductor space, as defining a patent strategy. We support companies in making these decisions within the context of high R&D costs, fast technology cycles, and raising enforcement activity by Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs).

Backed by technical knowledge and extensive legal expertise, we help semiconductor innovators to secure the protection needed to stay ahead in a volatile, high-stakes industry. Whether you’re filing in the EU, the US, or in East Asian fabrication hubs, our team is experienced in ensuring semiconductor IP is both comprehensive and enforceable.

Latest updates

Event - 7th - 10th October 2026

HGF Attending AIPPI World Congress 2026

HGF is attending the AIPPI World Congress 2026, taking place in Hamburg from 7-10 October 2026. Bringing together intellectual property professionals from around the world, the annual Congress is one …

Event details

Can foreign manufacturers escape the long arm of the UPC’s jurisdiction?

In the three years since it became operational, the UPC has established itself as a leading forum for pan-European patent litigation, with a number of decisions raising important questions regarding …

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Materials at the Final Frontier: How Engineering Innovations Are Powering the Future of Space

The Hidden Drivers of the Space Economy Space may be the ultimate testing ground for technology, but its success depends on what we build with, not just what we build. …

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Sustainable Technologies in Space: Protecting Innovation for a Greener Frontier

The modern space race is not just about reaching farther. Although it’s exciting to think that one day we might have holidays on other planets, space travel and exploration in …

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Patents Beyond Earth: Do we need a Martian Patent Office? Part 2

As of 2026, our patent offices are all Earth-based, and there is no comprehensive or harmonised framework for patent rights covering outer space as a region. However, there are a …

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Patents Beyond Earth: Is Space a No Man's Land? Part 1

It is well established that the patent system is territorial in nature. If you have an invention you wish to patent, at some point, you are going to have to …

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HGF energy and IP

Fuelling IP: Nuclear Fusion Patents – Is 20 Years Enough?

A patent is often described as providing 20 years of exclusivity. For technologies that take many years to develop, test, license and bring to market, the period of commercially meaningful …

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Miniaturisation and Patentability: Why Scaling Down a Product Is Not Enough to Qualify as a Patentable Invention

Miniaturisation has become a defining trend in modern engineering. From consumer electronics to medical devices, companies constantly strive to make products smaller, lighter, and more portable. This evolution is often …

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Let's talk

If you would like to discuss how HGF could help you, contact one of our semiconductors specialists.