Dual Camera Patent Wars Looming?

Digitimes reports that Taiwan-based camera module Altek is suing Shenzhen O-film Tech, and Beijing Jingdong Century Information Technology, a sales agent in the China market, in the Beijing Intellectual Property Court for infringement of its dual camera module patent.

The dual-lens module, supplied by Shenzhen O-film, used in the Hong-mi Pro smartphone launched by China-based Xiaomi infringes upon its patent, Altek alleges. Beijing Jingdong acts as the China sales agent for the smartphone.

Altek was first to unveil smartphone dual-lens camera module in 2014 and is said to supply its dual camera modules for more than 30 smartphone models by HTC, Huawei, ZTE, Coolpad, Nubia, GiONEE and Smartisan.

InstantFlashNews reports that the patent depicts a camera module with its optical axes adjusted to provide different photography effects. As this dual camera module is manufactured by O-Film, and JD.com is selling the handset, Xiaomi is not being sued for now.