Paris and London courts award anti-anti-suit injunction

With its anti-anti-suit injunction in Paris, IPCom has made history in Europe. So far, the only similar decision known in patent circles is in the case Continental vs. Nokia regarding connected cars. The Continental vs. Nokia dispute will go to the second instance on 13 November in Munich.

However, the Paris court went one step further in its ruling on the 100a patent. The third chamber has declared itself competent and thus objecting to the decision of the US District Court in San Jose (case ID: 19/59311). According to the judgment, it has also demanded that Lenovo withdraw its lawsuit in the USA. As a result, a fine of €250,000 per day was also threatened. Lenovo declined to comment to JUVE Patent.

Two anti-anti-suit injunctions

Pio Suh

The ruling of the London High Court is also an anti-anti-suit injunction. However, the UK court has not gone as far as the French judgment. Only Lenovo’s UK company has been denied the right to take action against IPCom in the US. The main proceedings will now take place, but a date has not yet been announced.

Currently in the infringement proceedings for its crown jewel, the 100a patent, IPCom is taking action against Lenovo in the US, France and the UK. The 100A, EP 1 841 268 (UK), is standard essential. It protects technology which determines how a handset connects to a network while prioritising emergency calls. In 2007, IPCom acquired a portfolio from Bosch that includes the UMTS patent in dispute, which is regarded as an SEP.

Proceedings on the same patent, this time against Vodafone, are currently running in London. The case will resume in November, although no date is yet listed. However, over the summer IPCom achieved an important success against HTC in the UK.

In addition, in mid-October the German Federal Patent Court dismissed the nullity suit from Apple and HTC against IPCom’s 100A patent.

In March 2020, the Paris Court of Appeal confirmed the judgment on the anti-anti-suit injunction in the second instance (case ID: 19/21426). The judges thus confirmed the jurisdiction of the French courts and instructed appellants Lenovo and Motorola to withdraw their motion for an anti-suit injunction before the US court.

In January 2020, the first instance court denied a preliminary injunction in parallel infringement proceedings between IPCom and Lenovo, concerning the 100A patent (case ID: 19/60318).

Bardehle Pagenberg wins for IPCom

In Paris, Lenovo is working with two Hoyng ROKH Monegier Véron partners, Sabine Agé and Amandine Métier. In London, the Chinese computer and smartphone manufacturer relies on Powell Gilbert.

Sabine Agé

IPCom relies on Bardehle Pagenberg partner Julien Fréneaux. He has been in contact with IPCom for some time, but has not yet represented the NPE at court. In London, the relationship between IPCom and Myles Jelf, partner at the London office of Bristows, is also ongoing.

IPCom
11 South Square (London): Mark Vanhegan
Bardehle Pagenberg (Paris): Julien Fréneaux
Bristows (London): Myles Jelf
In-house (Pullach): Pio Suh

Lenovo
Blackstone Chambers (London): Michael Bloch, Timothy Lau
Hoyng ROKH Monegier Véron (Paris): Sabine Agé, Amandine Métier
Powell Gilbert (London): Peter Damerell, Ari Laakkonen

Paris High Court, 3rd Chamber
Carine Gillet (presiding judge)

COUR D’APPEL DE PARIS, 16th Chamber
François Ancel (presiding judge), Fabienne Schaller, Laure Aldebert

UK High Court
Richard Hacon (presiding judge)