Tesla has asked a London court to allow its lawsuit against US technology firm InterDigital and a patent licensing platform to continue, as the automaker seeks a patent licence ahead of its launch of 5G vehicles in Britain.

The company is suing InterDigital and Avanci – which licenses patents from multiple owners, largely for automotive uses – at London’s High Court, says SwissInfo.ch

Elon Musk wants the court to determine the fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms of a licence for Tesla to use patents owned by patent holders, including InterDigital and which are licensed by Avanci, in its planned 5G vehicles.

InterDigital and Avanci, however, both say the case against them should be thrown out, partly because any litigation should take place in the United States rather than in London.

Thomas Raphael, a lawyer representing InterDigital, told the High Court that what Tesla really wants from the case is a licence on FRAND terms to use the patents.

“That is a licence InterDigital cannot grant and cannot make Avanci grant,” he said. Avanci, meanwhile, argues Tesla has no contractual rights against it.

But Tesla, whose lawyers said in court filings that the company “plans imminently to launch 5G vehicles in the UK”, argues that Avanci is demanding too much for a license and refusing to negotiate.

“Avanci makes a basic demand of $32 per 5G-connected vehicle, which is more than double the rate being paid by Tesla and most other vehicle manufacturers for a 4G vehicle,” Tesla’s lawyer James Segan said in written arguments.

(Pic – Tesla)