A 5G patent lawsuit by Tesla against InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDCC), a mobile, video and AI technology R&D firm and a patent licensing platform, Avanci, was overturned in the U.K. courts last week. Filed in 2023 ahead of the automaker’s introduction of 5G vehicles in the U.K., the lawsuit sought the court’s determination on whether Avanci’s terms were fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory for using patents, according to Benzinga.
“However, Tesla’s lawsuit to revoke three of InterDigital’s patents will be allowed to proceed,” Benzinga reported. “The outcome of Tesla’s ongoing claim to revoke InterDigital’s patents could impact future licensing agreements and the introduction of 5G technology in automotive applications.”
The well-known electric vehicle manufacturer’s claims were related to its intended installation of 5G technology capability in its cars. Tesla cars are currently manufactured with up to 4G capability and Tesla has purchased a worldwide license from Avanci for use of the 2G/3G/4G standard essential patents (SEP) in its cars.
Tesla’s intention to manufacture its cars with 5G capability will be made in order to future-proof them, not to introduce different applications of the technology, the company said. “[The OEM] has accepted from the outset that the license that it wants is a license to all the 5G SEPs available on Avanci’s 5G platform,” the court noted.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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