Chinese technology giant Huawei is facing a patent lawsuit from a Texas-based firm, claiming that the company demanded excessive fees for the use of its technology. The lawsuit, which was filed in a US district court, is just the latest in a series of legal challenges faced by Huawei in recent years.
According to the lawsuit, Huawei has been using Wi-Fi and LTE technologies developed by the Texas firm, PanOptis, without paying fair compensation. The lawsuit alleges that Huawei has been aware of its infringement since 2014 but continued to use the technology without authorization.
PanOptis, which holds numerous patents related to the technology, has alleged that Huawei has been using its patents without a license. The company further claims that Huawei has demanded excessive fees for the use of its technology, which violates the company’s obligation to license the patents on a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) basis.
The lawsuit states that Huawei has made overtures to PanOptis regarding the use of its patents, but that these overtures were insufficient, as Huawei demanded royalties that exceeded the value of the patents. PanOptis has asked the court to declare Huawei’s conduct unlawful, and to award damages to compensate for the company’s losses.
This is not the first time that Huawei has been accused of using patented technology without authorization. In 2018, the US Department of Justice filed charges against the company for allegedly stealing trade secrets from American companies, including T-Mobile.
In addition to legal troubles, Huawei has also faced challenges in the international market due to concerns over its close ties to the Chinese government. Several countries, including the US, have banned the use of Huawei technology in their 5G networks, citing national security concerns.
Huawei has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to defend itself against the allegations. The company has stated that it has a strong patent portfolio of its own, and has suggested that any dispute could be resolved through negotiation and licensing.
The patent lawsuit against Huawei is just the latest challenge faced by the embattled tech giant. With a US ban on its products, ongoing legal challenges, and international scrutiny of its business practices, Huawei has a long road ahead if it hopes to restore its reputation and regain the trust of consumers and regulators alike.
