Tesla Loses London Legal Battle Over 5G Patent Licence

U.S. tech firm InterDigital and a patent licensing platform, Avanci, successfully defended against a lawsuit filed by Tesla in London's High Court. Tesla sought to determine fair licensing terms for 5G technology patents before launching its 5G vehicles in the UK. The court dismissed Tesla's bid but allowed the challenge to InterDigital’s patents to proceed.

U.S. technology firm InterDigital and patent licensing platform Avanci have successfully defended against a lawsuit from Tesla. The lawsuit, filed in London's High Court, aimed to establish fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing terms for 5G technology patents as Tesla prepared to launch 5G vehicles in the UK.

Tesla sought the court's intervention to determine appropriate FRAND terms for using patents owned by InterDigital and licensed by Avanci. The automaker filed the case in 2023, arguing that it needed clarity on licensing terms ahead of its imminent 5G vehicle launch in Britain.

However, the High Court sided with InterDigital and Avanci, ruling that Tesla's bid for a licence determination should be dismissed. Judge Timothy Fancourt further stated that Tesla's claim to invalidate three of InterDigital's patents could continue, providing a partial win for the automaker.