Synopsys, Inc. vs. Real Intent, Inc.

Case Background

On April 23, 2020, Plaintiff Synopsys, Inc. filed a Copyright Infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court, California Northern (Case number: 5:20cv2819). This case was assigned to District Judge Edward J. Davila and referred to Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen.

Cause

Synopsys, Inc., a leading provider of electronic design automation (EDA) tools and semiconductor intellectual property, filed a lawsuit against Real Intent, Inc. for copyright infringement, breach of contract, and patent violation. Synopsys claimed that Real Intent copied proprietary features from Synopsys' flagship software products, including the Design Compiler, PrimeTime, and IC Compiler. These tools, which enabled engineers to design and verify integrated circuits efficiently, incorporated innovative algorithms and command sets developed over decades. Synopsys alleged that Real Intent used these proprietary materials to develop competing products, such as Ascent, Meridian, and Verix, violating the Software License Agreement (SLA) and misappropriating Synopsys' intellectual property. The dispute began when Synopsys attempted to audit Real Intent in May 2019 and discovered irregularities, including the unauthorized use of its confidential software and documentation.

Injuries

Real Intent’s unauthorized actions caused Synopsys significant harm. By copying proprietary commands, algorithms, and software structures, Real Intent created tools that directly competed with Synopsys’ products. This unauthorized competition diverted customers, undermined Synopsys’ pricing structure, and resulted in the loss of substantial market share. Synopsys further s