Harvard University has taken Samsung to court over allegations of patent infringement. The complaint, filed in the federal court of Texas, accuses the tech heavyweight of using Harvard's patented microprocessor technology unlawfully, as detailed in a report by The Crimson. The patents in question were developed by Harvard chemistry professor Roy G. Gordon and his team, whose work spans back to as early as 2009.

Harvard's contention, strongly centered around two counts of infringement, asserts that Samsung "knowingly, actively, and intentionally" leveraged the patented memory technology across its swath of products, including microchips and smartphones, without prior consent. Despite requests, neither a Harvard spokesperson nor a Samsung representative provided comments on the ongoing suit.

Represented by Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders' intellectual property lawyers, the university is seeking to bar Samsung from further patent breaches and to secure monetary reparations — though the exact figures remain unspecified. Furthermore, the lawsuit transmitted a clear message through a request for a jury trial, showcasing Harvard's resolve in the case.

It's worth noting that Professor Gordon's contributions, which have led to over 100 patents, are not limited solely to academic achievement. His innovations, particularly his development of a specialized window-coating in the 1970s, tangibly contributed to reducing energy consumption. And now, the patents at issue — which relate to the crafting and employment of "cobalt nitride layers for copper" and the application of chemical vapor deposition for "metal-comprising layer" — are claimed to be integral to Samsung's microchip production. Gordon, becoming an emeritus professor and formerly at the helm of the chemistry department, did not respond when asked to comment about the lawsuit.

The legal action by Harvard echoes its earlier moves in 2016 when it similarly accused semiconductor manufacturers Micron and GlobalFoundries of infringement. Both cases were wrapped with undisclosed settlements in favor of Harvard. Moreover, in addition to the current suit, Samsung is grappling with four other lawsuits, all lodged within the same Texas court since July 24, as mentioned in  The Crimson article.