Conversant Wireless Licensing SARL v Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd & Ors [2018] EWHC 808 (Pat) (16 April 2018)

Conversant Wireless Licensing SARL v Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd & Ors [2018] EWHC 808 (Pat) (16 April 2018)

The English court has jurisdiction to hear claims for infringement of UK patents and to determine the terms of a global FRAND licence as relief, provided it does not adjudicate on the validity of foreign patents. China is not an available alternative forum for global FRAND determination, as Chinese courts lack jurisdiction to determine infringement or essentiality of non-Chinese patents or to set global FRAND terms without both parties' agreement. The forum non conveniens application fails, and the claims against the UK defendants must proceed in England. Service on the Chinese defendants was not validly effected within the jurisdiction.

Citation
[2018] EWHC 808 (Pat)
Parties
Claimant: Conversant Wireless Licensing S. A. R. L; Defendant: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd; Defendant: Huawei Technologies (UK) Co. Ltd; Defendant: ZTE Corporation; Defendant: ZTE (UK) Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 April 2018
Procedural Posture
Jurisdictional Challenge in Patent Infringement Proceedings / Interlocutory Judgment on Jurisdiction and Forum Non Conveniens
Outcome
Defendants' applications dismissed.
Legal Topics
Patent Infringement, FRAND Licensing, Jurisdiction, Forum Non Conveniens, Service Out of Jurisdiction
Intellectual Property Civil Procedure Conflict of Laws Patent Infringement FRAND Licensing Jurisdiction Forum Non Conveniens Service Out of Jurisdiction

Case Brief

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Parties

Conversant Wireless Licensing S. A. R. L

Claimant

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd

Defendant

Huawei Technologies (UK) Co. Ltd

Defendant

ZTE Corporation

Defendant

ZTE (UK) Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Jurisdictional Challenge in Patent Infringement Proceedings / Interlocutory Judgment on Jurisdiction and Forum Non Conveniens

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the English court has jurisdiction to determine claims for infringement of UK patents and to set global FRAND licence terms.
  2. 2 Whether the English court should decline jurisdiction on forum non conveniens grounds in favour of China.
  3. 3 Whether service on the Chinese defendants was valid.

Ratio Decidendi

The English court has jurisdiction to hear claims for infringement of UK patents and to determine the terms of a global FRAND licence as relief, provided it does not adjudicate on the validity of foreign patents. China is not an available alternative forum for global FRAND determination, as Chinese courts lack jurisdiction to determine infringement or essentiality of non-Chinese patents or to set global FRAND terms without both parties' agreement. The forum non conveniens application fails, and the claims against the UK defendants must proceed in England. Service on the Chinese defendants was not validly effected within the jurisdiction.

Court Disposition

Defendants' applications dismissed.

Orders

  • Defendants' justiciability and forum non conveniens objections dismissed.
  • Permission to amend forum non conveniens application notices refused for UK defendants.