Crowell Secures $48 Million Jury Verdict for Kawasaki in Landmark Patent Case

San Francisco – March 19, 2026: Crowell & Moring achieved a decisive victory for Kawasaki Heavy Industries in the Northern District of California, obtaining a $48 million jury verdict after a two-week trial. The jury unanimously found that Rorze Corporation and its U.S. subsidiary, Rorze Automation, Inc., willfully infringed Kawasaki’s U.S. Patent No. RE45,772.

The patented technology, invented by Kawasaki’s CEO Yasuhiko Joseph Hashimoto, is recognized as the gold standard for silicon wafer handling systems used in semiconductor manufacturing, breakthrough innovations that cemented Kawasaki’s position as a global leader in semiconductor robotics.

The jury’s finding of infringement and $48 million damages award vindicates Kawasaki’s commitment to innovation and protects its industry-leading technology. Notably, because the jury found Rorze’s infringement was willful, the court may increase Kawasaki’s damages three times the jury’s $48 million verdict.

The Crowell trial team was led by partners Robert Mallin, Tadashi Horie, Mark Remus, and Molly Jones, along with associate Ryan Fitzgerald and case manager Lisa Reyes.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring is an international law firm with operations in the United States, Europe, and MENA. Drawing on significant government, business, industry, and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex regulatory and policy, litigation, transactional, and intellectual property issues. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to pro bono service, as well as its comprehensive programs and initiatives to advance the professional and personal development of all members of the Crowell community.

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