Amazon.com Inc & Ors v Interdigital VC Holdings Inc & Ors [2026] EWHC 499 (Pat) (05 March 2026)

Amazon.com Inc & Ors v Interdigital VC Holdings Inc & Ors [2026] EWHC 499 (Pat) (05 March 2026)

The court permits Amazon to make the declaration required by the UPC Local Division, acknowledging that this is not a declaration required or enforceable by the UK court, but is necessary to avoid further sanctions from the UPC. The court declines to make any order of its own motion against InterDigital, noting that the September RAND trial will not include Amazon's claim for damages as it relates to UPC territories. The court expresses reservations about the UPC LD's approach, finding it unfair and disruptive to the UK proceedings, but concludes that further conflict should be avoided and any remaining challenge should proceed by appeal within the UPC.

Citation
[2026] EWHC 499 (Pat)
Parties
Claimant: Amazon.com, Inc.; Claimant: Amazon Digital UK Limited; Claimant: Amazon Europe Core SARL; Claimant: Amazon EU SARL; Claimant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.; Defendant: InterDigital VC Holdings, Inc.; Defendant: InterDigital, Inc.; Defendant: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings SAS; Defendant: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc.; Defendant: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS; Defendant: Thomson Licensing SAS; Defendant: Vantiva SA
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 March 2026
Procedural Posture
Patent Infringement and Contractual Dispute / Interlocutory Judgment on Anti Suit Injunctions and Case Management
Outcome
Permission granted for Amazon to make the declaration required by the UPC Local Division; no further order made against InterDigital; RAND trial to proceed without damages claim for UPC territories.
Legal Topics
Anti Suit Injunctions, FRAND Licensing, Standard Essential Patents (seps), Jurisdictional Conflicts, Comity, Case Management, International Judicial Cooperation
Intellectual Property Patent Law Contract Law Competition Law Anti Suit Injunctions FRAND Licensing Standard Essential Patents (seps) Jurisdictional Conflicts +3 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Amazon.com, Inc.

Claimant

Amazon Digital UK Limited

Claimant

Amazon Europe Core SARL

Claimant

Amazon EU SARL

Claimant

Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Claimant

InterDigital VC Holdings, Inc.

Defendant

InterDigital, Inc.

Defendant

InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings SAS

Defendant

InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc.

Defendant

InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS

Defendant

Thomson Licensing SAS

Defendant

Vantiva SA

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Patent Infringement and Contractual Dispute / Interlocutory Judgment on Anti Suit Injunctions and Case Management

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the UPC Local Division's anti-suit injunction (ASI) prevents Amazon from pursuing final RAND relief in the UK proceedings
  2. 2 Whether Amazon is in breach of the UPC LD ASI
  3. 3 Whether the UK court should permit Amazon to make a declaration required by the UPC LD

Ratio Decidendi

The court permits Amazon to make the declaration required by the UPC Local Division, acknowledging that this is not a declaration required or enforceable by the UK court, but is necessary to avoid further sanctions from the UPC. The court declines to make any order of its own motion against InterDigital, noting that the September RAND trial will not include Amazon's claim for damages as it relates to UPC territories. The court expresses reservations about the UPC LD's approach, finding it unfair and disruptive to the UK proceedings, but concludes that further conflict should be avoided and any remaining challenge should proceed by appeal within the UPC.

Court Disposition

Permission granted for Amazon to make the declaration required by the UPC Local Division; no further order made against InterDigital; RAND trial to proceed without damages claim for UPC territories.

Orders

  • Amazon permitted to make the declaration required by the UPC LD in the UK court.
  • No order of the court against InterDigital at this stage, but right to reconsider reserved.