- Netflix accuses VMware of infringing five patents related to virtual machine operation.
- The dispute marks the latest in ongoing legal battles between Netflix and Broadcom.
What happened: Netflix alleges VMware’s vSphere platform infringes five patents related to virtual machine communications.
Netflix has filed a lawsuit against VMware, a subsidiary of Broadcom, alleging infringement of five patents related to virtual machine technology. The lawsuit, submitted in a California federal court, claims that VMware’s vSphere virtualisation platform violates patents that cover key elements of virtual-machine communications.
Netflix, a leader in video streaming services, has requested monetary damages but has not specified an amount. This legal challenge adds to an ongoing feud between Netflix and Broadcom, which began in 2018 over video streaming technology patents. Broadcom, which acquired VMware in 2022 for $69 billion, is simultaneously suing Netflix for patent infringement in a separate case scheduled for trial next June.
Neither Netflix nor Broadcom has commented publicly on the latest development in their prolonged legal battles.
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Why it’s important
This lawsuit highlights the increasing intersection of intellectual property disputes in technology sectors, particularly in cloud computing and video streaming. Virtual machines, critical for deploying scalable and efficient cloud solutions, have become a contested area as companies strive to protect their innovations.
Netflix’s decision to take legal action against VMware underscores the importance of safeguarding patented technologies in maintaining competitive advantages. For Broadcom, this is a crucial moment as it manages multiple legal challenges while integrating VMware’s operations following its significant acquisition.
The ongoing disputes could shape the strategic and financial decisions of both companies, impacting their respective market standings. The outcomes of these cases could set precedents for future intellectual property litigation in high-tech industries.
