Fractus files fresh IoT-related patent litigation, sues Geotab and Verizon in Eastern District of Texas

Context: Barcelona-based Fractus has been carving out a solid slice of the IoT licensing market this year, confirming the signing of its first IoT patent deals with smart home security providers Vivint in February and ADT in October off the back of disputes it had filed against them in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in 2022 (October 2, 2024 Fractus press release). In November, it announced the addition of a third licensee in the home security and smart home industry in the U.S. (although the identity of that company remains unknown).

 

What’s new: Fractus has launched another IoT-related dispute in the Eastern District of Texas (December 16, 2024 Fractus press release), alleging that U.S. telecoms provider Verizon and Canada-based telematics manufacturer Geotab are unlawfully utilizing its patented antenna innovations to enable advanced connectivity solutions. They have collectively infringed six of Fractus’ patents related to wireless communications, multimedia and antenna technologies, it has alleged. The plaintiff is also seeking damages of an unspecified amount.

 

Direct impact and wider ramifications: Fractus is determined to carve out a space for itself in the IoT market – this is indicated by recent comments made by CEO Jordi Ilario on the important role of enforcement in securing its licensing agreements: “We have made the most progress in home security because this is the vertical where we filed litigation.” The company’s new disputes come against a backdrop of an increasingly fragmented IoT market, acknowledged even by the likes of Nokia Technologies, which has made significant headway in the licensing of their patents to a wide variety of verticals. Despite Fractus’ recent success in inking IoT deals, the company’s slew of disputes in the U.S. underlines it is adopting an increasingly offensive IP licensing approach.