A customer tries out the features of a Huawei 4G mobile phone at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo : Reuters)
Huawei Technologies Co Ltd has increased its efforts in safeguarding its patents, which experts see as a move to boost its vision to penetrate the U.S. market and achieve its goal to become the world's biggest smartphone seller.
China Daily reported last week that Huawei had filed patent infringement cases against Samsung Electronics Co in two courts in China, shortly after it filed a similar case against T-Mobile U.S. Inc, a U.S. telecom operator.
Amid the slowing local smartphone market, handset makers in China are shifting their presence in the overseas market, Di Jin, a researcher at International Data Corp, said.
"A strong patent portfolio is key to rapid international expansion. For Huawei which has poured millions of dollars into research and development, taking Samsung to court can boost its international brand image," Di told China Daily.
Early this year, the Chinese company said that it aims to lead the global rank of handset makers and surpass Samsung and Apple Inc.
Industry observers however, said that Huawei would not be able realize this goal if it could not enter the U.S. market, which is the center of world innovation and the most competitive market in the world.
"Patent disputes can accelerate the process. The lawsuit against T-Mobile can give Huawei a bigger say in local partnerships, " Xiang Ligang, a telecom veteran and CEO of cctime.com, said.
In the first quarter of this year, Huawei has exported about 27.5 million smartphones, while Apple delivered 51.2 million units and Samsung, 81.9 million units, according to data from IDC.
But Huawei posted a strong growth rate of 58 percent, compared to Apple, whose sales declined sharply while Samsung has minimal growth.
"Huawei is rolling out innovative products. Though national security concerns will make it difficult to quickly build a strong foothold in the US, filing patent lawsuits against arch rivals can help boost Huawei's influence among consumers," according to Xiang.
