Hytera Ordered to Pay Additional $70 Million in Motorola Trade Secrets Case

Motorola Solutions has been awarded an additional $70 million in a trade secrets case against Hytera Communications. The US court order comes after Motorola previously won a $815 million verdict against Hytera in 2021. The case involves allegations of intellectual property theft and trade secret misappropriation.

Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI) has secured an additional $70 million in damages from Hytera Communications Corporation Limited (SHE: 002583) in a long-standing trade secrets dispute. The latest ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois orders Hytera to pay Motorola Solutions royalties and interest for the use of its trade secrets in Hytera's H-Series products, which were sold worldwide [1].

The court's decision comes after Motorola Solutions previously won a $815 million verdict against Hytera in 2021, alleging intellectual property theft and trade secret misappropriation. The current case revolves around Hytera's redesign of its digital mobile radio (DMR) H-Series products, which the court found to be substantially similar to Motorola Solutions' previously adjudicated DMR radios and repeaters. The court noted that while Hytera claimed to have redesigned the H-Series "from the ground up," it did not start from scratch and left several Motorola trade secrets in place [1].

The court has ordered Hytera to pay Motorola Solutions royalties of more than $59 million plus more than $11 million in interest for Hytera's worldwide sales of H-Series products through the first quarter of 2024. This amount is in addition to the $550 million in judgment and royalties previously awarded by the court. The court also held Hytera in civil contempt for failing to make court-mandated royalty payments, marking the third time since 2023 that Hytera has been held in contempt for refusing to obey court orders [1].

This ruling underscores the ongoing legal battle between the two companies, with Motorola Solutions maintaining its stance that Hytera has continued to use its trade secrets and copyrighted source code without authorization. The case highlights the importance of intellectual property protection and the legal recourse available to companies that have their trade secrets misappropriated [1].

References:
[1] https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250901047847/us-federal-court-determines-hytera-continues-to-use-motorola-solutions-stolen-trade-secrets