Lenovo and Motorola face sales ban in Germany

WEB DESK: Lenovo and its subsidiary Motorola Mobility are facing a legal challenge in Germany after a court ruling imposed a sales ban on their devices equipped with WWAN modules, crucial for mobile internet.

The Munich I District Court sided with InterDigital in a patent dispute, leading to the ban. The conflict centers on licensing terms for WWAN technology, with InterDigital claiming Lenovo hasn’t met their demands for fair fees, while Lenovo argues the terms are unjust.

The ban prohibits Lenovo from selling devices using mobile networks like GSM, UMTS, LTE, and 5G. This affects not only Motorola’s smartphones but also Lenovo’s broader range of mobile-enabled devices.

Although Lenovo and Motorola stopped listing affected products on their German websites, retailers continue to sell existing stock, but shortages may occur once stocks deplete.

The dispute reflects broader tensions over standard-essential patents critical for mobile communications. The interpretation of fair licensing terms remains ambiguous in European law.

Germany’s plaintiff-friendly legal framework for patent litigation makes it a focal point for such disputes.

The outcome holds significant implications for the tech industry, potentially reshaping how companies negotiate licensing agreements and manage intellectual property globally.

While the ban is in place, history suggests a settlement could mitigate the terms of the initial ruling.

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