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The Swedish company Ericsson has lodged a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) accusing Samsung Electronics of infringing patents related to its 4G and next-generation 5G wireless communications technology.

Ericsson and Samsung have been involved in repeated patent rows since 2012.

On Feb. 16, the ITC announced that it had opened an investigation after receiving a complaint from Ericsson the day before against Samsung Electronics’ South Korea and US units accusing them of unfair trade practices related to patent infringements.

The investigation focuses on mobile network infrastructure systems and related components, as well as products incorporating those components. Ericsson has accused Samsung of violating its patents with antennas, radios and base stations connected to the tower side of cellular communications and core network connection products.

Ericsson has demanded a ban and “cease and desist” order on imports and sales of the Samsung products in question in the US market. The ITC said it has “not yet made any decision on the merits of the case,” adding that it plans to set an investigation schedule and conduct evidentiary hearing procedures before making an initial ruling.

In January, Ericsson filed suit against Samsung Electronics in a Texas court, accusing it of patent infringements. According to Reuters, Samsung told the ITC that Ericsson had “not provided factual support for that argument.”

Samsung Electronics contended that, despite its attempts to discuss patent issues with Ericsson fairly and reasonably, the Swedish company had proceeded to file multiple lawsuits claiming infringements of commercial patents.

Samsung Electronics also explained that it had filed suit against Ericsson in a Wuhan court over global royalties and patent infringements — indicating that it was launching its own counteroffensive.

In 2001, Samsung and Ericsson signed a comprehensive mutual licensing contract on patents related to handsets and networks. They inked an extension to that contract in 2007, but as that agreement was set to end, Ericsson lodged a 2012 complaint accusing Samsung of patent infringements. Samsung responded with its own complaint, launching what turned into a heated row.

That dispute was eventually resolved when Samsung agreed to pay US$650 million in patent royalties. The renewed patent battle comes as the two companies reach the end of their patent usage contract this year.

By Cho Kye-wan, staff reporter

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