Acer Sues Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, Alleging Infringment on Acer's Cellular Networking Patents (nerds.xyz)
(Sunday January 18, 2026 @11:34AM (EditorDavid)
from the phoning-it-in dept.)
- Reference: 0180608102
- News link: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/01/18/006222/acer-sues-verizon-att-and-t-mobile-alleging-infringment-on-acers-cellular-networking-patents
- Source link: https://nerds.xyz/2026/01/acer-sues-att-verizon-tmobile-over-patents/
Slashdot reader [1]BrianFagioli writes:
> Acer [2]has filed three separate patent infringement lawsuits against AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile , taking the unusual step of hauling the nation's largest wireless carriers into federal court. The suits, filed in the Eastern District of Texas, claim the companies are using Acer-developed cellular networking technology without paying for the privilege. Acer says it tried to negotiate licenses for years but reached a dead end, arguing it was left with no option except litigation. The case centers on six U.S. patents Acer asserts are core to modern wireless networks, rather than anything tied to PCs or laptops.
>
> The company describes itself as reluctant to pursue courtroom battles, but it has been quietly building a large global patent portfolio after pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into R&D. Acer also notes that some of its patents count as standard-essential, hinting the carriers may be required to license them. All three companies are expected to push back, and the dispute could become another long-running telecom patent saga. Consumers will not notice any immediate changes, but if Acer wins or settles, it may find a new revenue stream far beyond its traditional hardware business.
[3]Further coverage from Hot Hardware
[1] https://slashdot.org/~BrianFagioli
[2] https://nerds.xyz/2026/01/acer-sues-att-verizon-tmobile-over-patents/
[3] https://hothardware.com/news/acer-slaps-att-t-mobile-verizon-lawsuit-wireless-patents
> Acer [2]has filed three separate patent infringement lawsuits against AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile , taking the unusual step of hauling the nation's largest wireless carriers into federal court. The suits, filed in the Eastern District of Texas, claim the companies are using Acer-developed cellular networking technology without paying for the privilege. Acer says it tried to negotiate licenses for years but reached a dead end, arguing it was left with no option except litigation. The case centers on six U.S. patents Acer asserts are core to modern wireless networks, rather than anything tied to PCs or laptops.
>
> The company describes itself as reluctant to pursue courtroom battles, but it has been quietly building a large global patent portfolio after pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into R&D. Acer also notes that some of its patents count as standard-essential, hinting the carriers may be required to license them. All three companies are expected to push back, and the dispute could become another long-running telecom patent saga. Consumers will not notice any immediate changes, but if Acer wins or settles, it may find a new revenue stream far beyond its traditional hardware business.
[3]Further coverage from Hot Hardware
[1] https://slashdot.org/~BrianFagioli
[2] https://nerds.xyz/2026/01/acer-sues-att-verizon-tmobile-over-patents/
[3] https://hothardware.com/news/acer-slaps-att-t-mobile-verizon-lawsuit-wireless-patents
Standards should not include patented things (Score:1)
"Acer also notes that some of its patents count as standard-essential, hinting the carriers may be required to license them"
Many people will disagree with me, but I don't think patented ideas/concepts/inventions should be included in any standards.
If it's a standard it should be available for anyone who wants to make a compatible widget or device or program to use. Anything "restricted" makes the standard less useful.
It's very lucrative for companies to get their patented things included in a standard, and