US company charges Volkswagen $ 1 billion

US chip maker Broadcom sued Volkswagen for patent infringement. In the process, they require a billion dollars. If the company does not respect the payment, a delivery stop threat.

According to a magazine article, Volkswagen would face a billion-dollar claim from broadcom semiconductor maker in the context of a patent litigation. The American company claims a billion dollars to the car company and threatens otherwise to stop the production of several models of the brands VW, Porsche and Audi, indicates the "mirror".

Broadcom filed a patent complaint in Munich and Mannheim. It concerns the use of 18 patents in navigation and entertainment systems, which Volkswagen uses in many car models.

Volkswagen confirmed that Broadcom had filed patent lawsuits, but did not want to comment on the content. The automaker had legalized the allegations and started legal action to protect its interests, a spokesman said. The courts were initially unable to obtain an opinion.

Also Toyota and Panasonic under pressure

According to the report, Broadcom would also be in the United States against Toyota and Panasonic. The companies concerned would be under pressure to reach an agreement with the supplier before the courts decide. Because these could temporarily prohibit the use of the affected semiconductor and thus stop the production. The auto industry has been complaining for some time that so-called patent processors would exploit the legal situation to demand excessive royalties.

Such complaints are a big problem for companies in the face of increasing digitization. The "Handelsblatt" recently reported an "economic war" for patents. The entire Rechtsabeilungen only deals with the prosecution of patent prosecution.

According to industry experts, critically acclaimed patent writers benefit from the fact that an applicant can choose the law against the company that he pursues in the value chain.

Semiconductors are installed in devices of all kinds, which in turn are part of larger systems such as electronic cars, refrigerators or washing machines. Experts are therefore concerned that such complaints will increase with the progress of digitization and networking in the years to come.