Archive · 27 Jul 2026
Tesla Revives UK Lawsuit Against InterDigital, Avanci Over 5G Patents
Tesla is in a legal battle with InterDigital and Avanci over the licensing terms for 5G patents needed for their vehicles.
Tesla wants to pay a fair price for these patents, but Avanci offered a fixed rate that Tesla thinks is too high.
The UK Supreme Court ruled that patent owners must offer fair terms, even if they are part of a licensing platform.
This case is important because it sets a precedent for future disputes about patent licensing.
Tesla sued InterDigital and Avanci in London's High Court over 5G patent licensing terms.
The UK Supreme Court ruled in Tesla's favor, stating patent owners must offer FRAND terms.
Avanci offered Tesla a fixed rate of $32 per vehicle, which Tesla found unreasonable.
Tesla seeks a judicial declaration to establish a fair global FRAND royalty rate.
The case sets an important precedent for future disputes involving patent licensing platforms.
- Who
- Tesla, InterDigital, Avanci
- What
- Tesla's lawsuit against InterDigital and Avanci over 5G patent licensing terms
- When
- 2023 (initial lawsuit), 2024 (Supreme Court ruling)
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Why
- Tesla seeks a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) royalty rate for 5G-enabled vehicles.
Tesla's Position
InterDigital and Avanci's Position
Licensing Terms
Tesla's Position
Tesla argues that the flat-rate pricing structure for the entire patent pool far exceeds what could legally be considered a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) royalty.
InterDigital and Avanci's Position
Avanci offered Tesla a global platform licence at a fixed, non-negotiable rate of $32 per vehicle, which they believe is fair and reasonable.
Jurisdiction
Tesla's Position
Tesla seeks a judicial declaration establishing a fair global FRAND royalty rate for the entire Avanci 5G licensing platform.
InterDigital and Avanci's Position
InterDigital and Avanci argue that English courts lack the jurisdiction to rewrite the commercial terms of a voluntary third-party licensing platform.
- Companies Involved
- Tesla, InterDigital, Avanci
- Court
- High Court of England and Wales
- Issue
- Patent licensing terms for 5G-enabled vehicles
- Licensing Platform
- Avanci
- Patent Holder
- InterDigital
- Licensing Rate
- $32 per vehicle
- FRAND
- Fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms
- Supreme Court Ruling
- Patent owners are not released from their obligation to license patents on FRAND terms by joining a patent pool or licensing platform.