Ocado and AutoStore settle all patent litigation
Ocado has reached a deal to settle all outstanding patent litigation claims with Norwegian rival AutoStore following a three-year dispute.
The news means that AutoStore will pay £200 million to the online grocer and robotics firm in 24 monthly instalments.
Each party is now taking steps to withdraw their actions against each other.
Under the agreement, Ocado and AutoStore can continue to use and market their own existing products without challenge.
While the deal gives access to part of each party’s patent portfolio for them to use or develop their own products, it does not provide for collaboration, technology assistance, or access to actual products.
AutoStore claimed in 2020 that Ocado had infringed its intellectual property and a legal battle ensued.
Tim Steiner, chief executive of Ocado Group, said: “I am pleased that we have worked together to resolve our differences and can now continue to focus on what we do best – innovating, developing and enabling partners to access world-beating technology.”
