DT Mobile and Samsung settle RMB 123 million patent dispute

DT Mobile and Samsung have resolved their patent disputes involving claims totaling RMB 123 million, according to an announcement made on August 29 by CICT Mobile, DT Mobile's parent company.

The settlement covers six patent infringement cases filed by DT Mobile against Samsung in the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court. These disputes date back to early 2023, when DT Mobile accused Samsung China of infringing on six of its invention patents, seeking RMB 123 million in damages. Each case involved claims of RMB 20 million in economic damages and an additional RMB 500,000 in expenses related to stopping the infringement.

A later report by the People's Court Daily revealed that DT Mobile's claims also included requests for the court to set global and domestic licensing terms for its 4G and 5G standard-essential patents, with a focus on licensing fee rates.

Conflict between the two sides extended beyond China. In February 2023, DT Mobile also filed related lawsuits in Germany.

In response, Samsung countered by suing DT Mobile in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in October 2023, seeking a declaration of patent invalidity, alleging breach of contract, and claiming violation of the duty to negotiate in good faith.

In April 2024, the Munich Regional Court ruled that Samsung's 4G-enabled devices had infringed on DT Mobile’s standard-essential patent EP2237607. The court identified Samsung as an "unwilling" licensee and issued an injunction against Samsung’s products.

Two months later, the companies submitted a joint stipulation of dismissal to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, agreeing to end all ongoing litigation.

Recently, the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court issued a civil ruling approving DT Mobile's request to withdraw its six patent lawsuits.