Space Systems/Loral has lost its case with Viasat Inc in which Viasat accused the manufacturer of using its technology developed for its Viasat-1 broadband satellite on later satellites for other operators. Having been found guilty of patent infringement and breaches of non-disclosure agreements, damages of US$283 million were awarded against the firm. Space Systems/Loral is to appeal the verdict.
While Loral Space and Communications, Space Systems/Loral’s overall holding company at the time of the offences was found not-liable, the firm will be paying most of the damages if the appeal fails. For under an agreement with MDA (Madonald, Detwiller and Associates), the firm to which Loral sold Space Systems/Loral to in 2012, Loral agreed to cover such damages up to a limit of US$200 million.
Comment by David Todd: This judgement and any resulting ban on using Viasat technology is likely to seriously hinder Space Systems/Loral as they attempt to build new high throughput communications spacecraft for its core market.
