Amazon.com, Inc & Ors v Interdigital VC Holdings, Inc & Ors

Amazon.com, Inc & Ors v Interdigital VC Holdings, Inc & Ors

The English court has jurisdiction over Amazon's RAND and competition claims because, properly characterised, they relate to UK patents and markets; service under CPR r.63.14 and permission to serve out were valid; InterDigital's undertakings and arbitration offer do not provide a licence or certainty and do not remove the UK jurisdictional hook; no alternative forum is clearly or distinctly more appropriate; and a forum non conveniens or case management stay is refused.

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
01 May 2026
Procedural Posture
Jurisdictional Challenge (cpr Part 11 Application) / Ruling on Jurisdiction and Forum Non Conveniens
Outcome
Jurisdiction challenge dismissed; English court retains jurisdiction; no stay granted.
Legal Topics
Patents, Standard Essential Patents (seps), Rand/frand Licensing, Jurisdiction, Forum Non Conveniens, Service of Process, Competition Abuse (dominance), Declaratory Relief
Intellectual Property Competition Law Contract Law Civil Procedure Patents Standard Essential Patents (seps) Rand/frand Licensing Jurisdiction +4 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

Jurisdictional Challenge (cpr Part 11 Application) / Ruling on Jurisdiction and Forum Non Conveniens

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the English court has jurisdiction to hear Amazon's claims for global RAND licence terms relating to UK SEPs owned by InterDigital
  2. 2 Whether service within the jurisdiction under CPR r.63.14 was valid for RAND and competition claims
  3. 3 Whether permission to serve out of the jurisdiction was properly granted

Ratio Decidendi

The English court has jurisdiction over Amazon's RAND and competition claims because, properly characterised, they relate to UK patents and markets; service under CPR r.63.14 and permission to serve out were valid; InterDigital's undertakings and arbitration offer do not provide a licence or certainty and do not remove the UK jurisdictional hook; no alternative forum is clearly or distinctly more appropriate; and a forum non conveniens or case management stay is refused.

Court Disposition

Jurisdiction challenge dismissed; English court retains jurisdiction; no stay granted.

Orders

  • Service as of right under CPR r.63.14 and permission for service out upheld
  • Forum non conveniens and case management stays refused