Peregrine settles patent spat with RF Micro

San Diego’s Peregrine Semiconductor said Tuesday it has settled patent infringement litigation with RF Micro Devices of North Carolina, with each side signing a patent cross- licensing agreement.

Peregrine, which makes switches, filters and other silicon-on-insulator chips for wireless devices, first sued RF Micro Devices in February 2012 for violating five Peregrine patents.

Later, the company added a sixth patent infringement claim. RF Micro Devices counter sued, claiming that Peregrine was using one of its patents.

After a pretrial hearing in September, only two of Peregrine’s infringement claims made it to trial, which was scheduled to start in November.

Specific financial terms of the agreement remain confidential. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before the settlement, Peregrine said the case could be costly and “impose a significant burden on management employees.” The company also said it was impossible to predict the outcome.

“We are pleased that we have reached agreement with RF Micro Devices and resolved all of our outstanding litigation under terms that recognize Peregrine’s unique role in the invention and commercialization of RF silicon on insulator technology,” said Peregrine Chief Executive Jim Cable in a statement.

Peregrine’s shares gained 44 cents Tuesday to close at $7.12 on the Nasdaq. RF Micro’s shares dipped 7 cents to end the day at $10.72.