Teradyne and Elite Robots settle cobot software dispute; JAKA case continues
Universal Robots' parent and Chinese cobot maker Elite Robots ended their German copyright case with undisclosed terms and no admission of liability. A separate patent suit against JAKA is ongoing.
In short: The fight over cobot software between Universal Robots' parent and a Chinese rival is over, but we don't know the terms.
Timeline
- Earlier in 2026: Teradyne Robotics sued Elite Robots Deutschland GmbH, alleging copyright infringement of Universal Robots software.
- April: The Regional Court of Hamburg issued a preliminary injunction restricting the allegedly infringing software and products in Germany (not a final ruling).
- August: Teradyne filed a separate suit alleging JAKA Robotics' German subsidiary infringed three UR patents with a March 2006 priority date. That case is ongoing.
- Oct. 1: Settlement announced. Joint statement: it "does not constitute an admission by Elite Robots regarding liability, infringement" or validity of IP rights.
Why it matters
Chinese cobot makers are competing hard on price in Europe, and UR is using courts to defend its software and early patents. The outcome shapes how freely rivals can copy the user experience that made cobots easy to use. It also comes right after UR launched Gen 7 built around PolyScope X.
Sources Sources verified
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