GARBSEN, GERMANY –  LPKF today announced that it has won a preliminary victory in the legal dispute concerning an alleged infringement of its patent for laser direct structuring.

The Mannheim Regional Court on July 8 ordered Motorola Deutschland and Motorola Mobility USA to refrain from selling cellphones in Germany that infringe the patent and ordered Motorola Deutschland to recall all cellphones that infringe the patent from commercial customers. Moreover, the court determined that both defendants must pay compensation. The judgment may be appealed.

The LDS process patented by LPKF is used to produce antennas for cellphones or tablet PCs. In 2013 China declared the patent invalid. LPKF subsequently submitted an application to reopen proceedings, which China’s Supreme People’s Court accepted for review. Furthermore, LPKF is systematically taking action against cellphone manufacturers that bring counterfeit LDS components into circulation outside China.

In a statement, LPKF CEO Dr. Ingo Bretthauer said, “The more attractive a patent is, the harder you have to work to defend it. We will continue to fight for our patent in China and systematically take action against infringers outside China. This is part and parcel of a technology company’s everyday business.”

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