Daimler AG, which owns Mercedes-Benz, has lost a patent dispute for the second time in three weeks. This time, the second party in the proceedings was the Japanese company Sharp. A Munich court ruled that Daimler AG had illegally used her patent.
Recall that in August the Mannheim (Germany) court concluded that Daimler AG violated Nokia patents by using mobile technologies in its cars without a license. The new solution is similar.
The second case was part of the struggle of several technology companies at once, which sued the German concern for patent infringement.
Notably, Nokia has already obtained the right to ban Daimler AG from selling Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Germany. But the catch is that Nokia will need to post an $8.3 billion bail. This amount is a guarantee of possible damages in case the decision is overturned on appeal.
The Munich court was less strict and required a bond of only €5.5 million. According to German law, if the decision is appealed, it can only be enforced if the winner pays the bond. This money is a security deposit that the other party can use to cover their losses if they ultimately win the appeal.
A spokesman for Daimler AG said it would appeal. The concern does not expect production or sales to be stopped. The company noted that Sharp withdrew part of the lawsuit after granting a license to the supplier.
Mercedes again risks being left without the German market, this time because of Sharp
