BMW Wins Restraining Order Blocking Patent Owner’s Foreign Suit

A Texas federal court granted Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking patent owner Onesta IP LLC from pursuing an injunction in Germany over BMW’s use of Qualcomm Snapdragon components in vehicles. Judge Alan Albright found a substantial risk of irreparable harm if a European injunction were allowed to interfere with U.S. patent rights. 

BMW, represented by Finnegan partner Lionel Lavenue, argued that Onesta was improperly attempting to assert U.S. patents abroad. Lionel emphasized that “U.S. patent rights should be decided by U.S. courts,” noting that BMW’s suit is intended to protect the integrity of the U.S. patent system and ensure that disputes involving American patents are resolved in the proper forum. 

He further warned that “efforts to export U.S. patent infringement disputes to foreign tribunals are deeply troubling, invite inconsistent and conflicting rulings, and threaten the orderly and uniform application of U.S. patent law.” 

The TRO preserves the court’s authority while BMW seeks declarations of noninfringement, patent invalidity, and misuse of the asserted U.S. patents. Onesta has until December 23 to oppose extension of the TRO, after which the court will consider whether a full antisuit injunction is warranted. 

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