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

[July 15, 2024]  LONDON (Reuters) -U.S. technology firm InterDigital and a patent licensing platform on Monday won their bid to throw out a London lawsuit by Tesla, which was seeking a patent license ahead of the automaker's launch of 5G vehicles in Britain.  

The logo of Tesla on display at the Everything Electric exhibition at the ExCeL London international exhibition and convention centre in London, Britain, March 28, 2024. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo

Elon Musk's company sued InterDigital 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 license 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 license.

The High Court ruled in their favor on Monday, with Judge Timothy Fancourt saying in a written ruling that Tesla's bid for a license 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)

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