InterDigital Files New Complaint Against Huawei, Nokia, Samsung and ZTE with U.S. International Trade Commission
Company Seeks Importation Ban for 3G and 4G Wireless Products that
Infringe on U.S. Patents
InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDCC) today announced that its wholly owned
subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, Inc., InterDigital Technology
Corporation, IPR Licensing, Inc. and InterDigital Holdings, Inc.
(collectively, “InterDigital”) filed a complaint with the U.S.
International Trade Commission (“USITC”) against Huawei Technologies
Co., Ltd., Futurewei Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Huawei Technologies (USA),
Huawei Device USA, Inc., Nokia Corporation, Nokia, Inc., Samsung
Electronics Company, Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung
Telecommunications America, LLC, ZTE Corporation and ZTE (USA), Inc.
(collectively, “Respondents”) alleging that they engaged in unfair trade
practices by selling for importation into the United States, importing
into the United States and/or selling after importation into the United
States certain 3G and 4G wireless devices (including WCDMA-, cdma2000-
and LTE-capable mobile phones, USB sticks, mobile hotspots, laptop
computers and tablets, and components of such devices) that infringe up
to seven of InterDigital’s U.S. patents (the “Asserted Patents”). The
action also extends to certain WCDMA and cdma2000 devices incorporating
WiFi functionality.
“Wireless technology continues to advance at tremendous speed based on
the contributions that InterDigital and others have made to core
connectivity technology. For InterDigital, that effort represents
roughly one billion dollars of research and development involving
hundreds of wireless engineers over decades. While the vast majority of
our dozens of licensees recognize our contributions and choose to
license our portfolio based on discussions alone, in some cases we’re
forced to resort to legal action,” said Lawrence F. Shay, President of
InterDigital’s patent holding subsidiaries.
InterDigital’s complaint with the USITC seeks an exclusion order that
would bar from entry into the United States infringing 3G or 4G wireless
devices (and components), including LTE devices, that are imported by or
on behalf of Respondents, and also seeks a cease and desist order to bar
further sales of infringing products that have already been imported
into the United States. Under its rules, the USITC has thirty days from
the filing of the complaint to decide whether to formally institute an
investigation. Certain of the Asserted Patents have been asserted
against Nokia, Huawei and ZTE in earlier USITC proceedings, including
the pending USITC investigation initiated by InterDigital in July 2011,
and therefore are not being asserted against those Respondents in this
new complaint.
InterDigital also filed parallel actions in the United States District
Court for the District of Delaware alleging that Respondents’ same 3G
and 4G wireless devices infringe the same Asserted Patents identified in
the USITC complaint. The Delaware complaints seek a permanent injunction
and compensatory damages in an amount to be determined, as well as
enhanced damages based on willful infringement, and recovery of
reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. If the USITC institutes the
investigation referenced above, Respondents will have a statutory right
(but not the obligation) to stay the Delaware District Court proceeding
pending a final determination in the USITC.
About InterDigital®
InterDigital develops fundamental wireless technologies that are at the
core of mobile devices, networks, and services worldwide. We solve many
of the industry’s most critical and complex technical challenges,
inventing solutions for more efficient broadband networks and a richer
multimedia experience years ahead of market deployment. InterDigital has
licenses and strategic relationships with many of the world’s leading
wireless companies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on NASDAQ
and is included in the S&P MidCap 400® index.
InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.
For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.