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FinanceTesla wins UK Supreme Court ruling to revive 5G patent licensing lawsuit
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Tesla has won a UK Supreme Court ruling to revive its London lawsuit against InterDigital and Avanci, seeking fair licensing terms for 5G patents ahead of launching 5G-enabled vehicles in Britain. The automaker originally sued in 2023, asking the High Court to determine FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms for patents owned by InterDigital and licensed through Avanci. Lower courts had dismissed Tesla's FRAND claim in 2024, allowing only a patent revocation challenge. After losing at the Court of Appeal, Tesla appealed to the Supreme Court with support from tech lobbying group CCIA and the Motion Picture Association. The Supreme Court ruled that patent owners cannot avoid FRAND obligations simply by joining a patent pool or platform. The case will now return to the High Court for further proceedings.
Source report
Reuters | Mon, July 27, 2026 at 4:42 AM PDT | 1 min read
LONDON, July 27 (Reuters) – Elon Musk's Tesla on Monday won its bid to revive a London lawsuit against U.S. technology firm InterDigital and a patent licensing platform, seeking a patent licence ahead of the automaker's launch of 5G vehicles in Britain.
Background
Tesla sued InterDigital and Avanci – which licenses patents from multiple owners, largely for automotive uses – at London's High Court in 2023. The company sought a court determination of the fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms for a licence to use patents owned by patent holders, including InterDigital and those licensed by Avanci.
Legal Proceedings
- InterDigital and Avanci asked the court to throw out Tesla's bid for a ruling on FRAND terms.
- The High Court ruled in their favour in 2024, though Tesla's claim to revoke three of InterDigital's patents could continue.
- Tesla unsuccessfully appealed that ruling at the Court of Appeal before challenging it at the United Kingdom's Supreme Court.
- Tesla was supported by interveners including tech lobbying group CCIA and the Motion Picture Association.
Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled in Tesla's favour, stating that patent owners are not released from obligations to licence their patents on FRAND terms simply by joining a patent pool or platform.
Next Steps
The case is now expected to return to the High Court.
Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Sarah Young
Source
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Tesla Wins UK Supreme Court Bid to Revive 5G Patent Licensing Lawsuit