Yealink (300628.SZ), a globally leading communications solution provider, recently announced that it has petitioned the United States Patent and Trademark Office to institute Inter Partes reviews (IPR Nos. 2024-1436, -1437, -1438, and -1439) of Barco’s patents directed to wireless presentation technology. With its petitions, Yealink aims to protect fair competition in the industry.
Yealink believes Barco’s patents are questionable
According to Yealink, Barco’s patents are directed to known technologies widely used in the market long before Barco had applied for its patents. Yealink also notes Barco had, in a previous litigation against Kindermann in the Netherlands, already had its European patent (No. EP2756668B) directed to similar technologies declared invalid (see Kindermann’s Statement for details). Yealink further notes that despite its record, Barco has continued to enforce its questionable patents and profit through unreasonable patent royalties, including by filing patent infringement lawsuit in the United States against Yealink (Case No. 23-cv-521, E.D. Tex.). Yealink reiterates that such behavior by Barco compromises fair competition, and thwarts innovation, in the industry.
Yealink challenges Barco’s patents
Yealink has been engaging in UC&C for years. Its SIP Phone has ranked first in global shipments for many years, and the global shipments of video conferencing series products ranked among the best globally in 2024 thanks to Yealink’s continued innovation and rapid iteration of AI technology. Barco’s lawsuit against Yealink targets Yealink’s wireless presentation products, which are merely optional accessories in Yealink’s UC&C solution and products. Specifically, Barco’s lawsuit targets Yealink’s accessory WPP30 Presentation Pod products. In response, and out of respect for intellectual property rights, Yealink suspended the sale in the United States of all WPP30 Presentation Pod products in April 2024 and recalled all related products from the US market (see the End-of-Sale Announcement issued in April 2024). At the same time, Yealink continues to protect its, and more importantly its customers’, legitimate rights by challenging the validity of Barco’s patents before the United States Patent and Trademark Office through Inter Partes review proceedings (IPR Nos. 2024-1436, -1437, -1438, and -1439).
Yealink continues to advocate for the healthy and fair development of the industry
Yealink’s WPP30 Presentation Pod, which is at the center of Barco’s U.S. lawsuit, serves only as an optional accessory for Yealink products. The outcome of this litigation will have a limited impact on Yealink’s overall business, as well as on its customers and partners. At the same time, Yealink, as a leader in industry technology, has the responsibility to advocate for the healthy development of the industry and further promote fair competition and technological innovation, thereby supporting the long-term development of the communications industry. As a result, Yealink has challenged and will continue to challenge questionable patents that curb innovation.
Yealink (Stock Code: 300628) is a global-leading provider of Unified Communication & Collaboration Solutions specialized in video conferencing, voice communications, and collaboration, dedicated to helping every person and organization embrace the power of “Easy Collaboration, High Productivity”.
With best-in-class quality, innovative technology, and user-friendly experiences, Yealink is one of the best providers in more than 140 countries and regions, ranks No.1 in the global market share of IP Phone, and is the Top 5 leader in the video conferencing market (Frost & Sullivan, 2021).
For more information, please visit:www.yealink.com.