Tesla's UK lawsuit for 5G patents licence thrown out by UK court (updated)

InterDigital

15/07/2024 11:17

(Adds details in paragraphs 3-4, 6)
       LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) - U.S. technology firm
InterDigital and a patent licensing platform on Monday won their
bid to throw out a London lawsuit by Tesla  TSLA.O , which was
seeking a patent licence ahead of the automaker's launch of 5G
vehicles in Britain.
    Elon Musk's company sued InterDigital  IDCC.O  and Avanci –
which licenses patents from multiple owners, largely for
automotive uses – at London's High Court in 2023.
    Tesla wanted the court to determine the fair, reasonable and
non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms of a licence for Tesla to use
patents owned by patent holders, including InterDigital and
which are licensed by Avanci.
    Tesla's lawyers said in court filings for a hearing in May
that the company "plans imminently to launch 5G vehicles in the
UK".
    InterDigital and Avanci, however, asked the court to throw
out Tesla's bid for a ruling on FRAND terms for a licence. 
    The High Court ruled in their favour on Monday, with Judge
Timothy Fancourt saying in a written ruling that Tesla's bid for
a licence must be thrown out but Tesla's claim to revoke three
of InterDigital's patents can continue.

 (Reporting by Sam Tobin, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
 ((Sam.Tobin@thomsonreuters.com;))