Huawei seeks IP assurances
Suit filed against Motorola to block Nokia Siemens' access to secrets
NEW YORK - Huawei Technologies Co sued Motorola Solutions Inc and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to block any disclosure of confidential information about its telecommunications network products in a proposed acquisition.
Huawei said in its complaint that Motorola Solutions hadn't offered assurances that it will prevent such disclosures to Nokia Siemens Networks, which said last year it will buy Motorola's wireless network business. Huawei's lawsuit filed in a federal court in Chicago, seeks to have a judge modify the deal to protect its intellectual property (IP).
Motorola Solutions, based in Schaumburg, Illinois, has resold Huawei's wireless network products under the Motorola name since 2000, according to the statement.
"We have tried to work with Motorola to ensure that our confidential, proprietary and very valuable intellectual property is not handed over to a competitor who's in the same business," said Bill Plummer, a spokesman for Huawei. "So far we have not received any assurance from Motorola that will not happen."
This month, Motorola Inc spun off its mobile phone business into a new company, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. The company's remaining two-way radio and scanning gear units were combined in Motorola Solutions.
Nokia Siemens' $1.2 billion acquisition of the wireless network assets of Motorola Solutions hasn't yet been completed.
"If that deal is finalized and that IP is transferred, that transfer can never be undone," Plummer said.
The lawsuit alleges misappropriation of trade secrets, copyright infringement and breach of contract.
Motorola Solutions spokesman Nick Sweers said that the case is "without merit."
"We are targeting to complete the sale of our networks business to NSN in early 2011, following receipt of approval from China's antitrust authorities," he said.
"We don't comment on pending lawsuits and their content," said Carol DeMatteo, a spokeswoman for Nokia Siemens in Irving, Texas.
Bloomberg News
(China Daily 01/26/2011 page16)
