China telecoms giant Huawei said Thursday it is suing hometown rival ZTE in Europe for alleged patent and trademark infringements, as the Chinese firms battle for overseas market share.

The lawsuits filed in Germany, France and Hungary accuse ZTE, a telecom equipment supplier, of breaching a series of Huawei's patents and illegally using a Huawei-registered trademark on some products.

"Huawei was compelled to initiate this action in order to protect our innovations and registered intellectual property in Europe," said Huawei chief legal officer Song Liuping in a statement.

"Intellectual property is among Huawei's most valuable assets. That is why we feel a responsibility to our customers and to our shareholders to do everything possible to protect these assets in any legal jurisdiction."

ZTE did not immediately respond to AFP requests for comment. Huawei said it took legal action after ZTE failed to respond to "cease and desist letters".

Both Huawei and ZTE are based in the southern boom town of Shenzhen, next to Hong Kong, and are competing in the global telecommunications market.

earlier related report
China's ZTE rejects Huawei patent charges
Shanghai (AFP) April 29, 2011 - Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE has rejected charges by its bigger rival Huawei Technologies, which is suing ZTE in three European countries for alleged patent and trademark infringements.

Huawei said Thursday it had filed lawsuits in Germany, France and Hungary accusing ZTE of breaching several of its patents and illegally using a Huawei-registered trademark on some products.

"ZTE respects and adheres to international intellectual property laws and regulations without reservation, and absolutely rejects that there has been any patent and trademark infringement," ZTE said in a statement late Thursday.

"ZTE is always willing to negotiate on issues in good faith, but will definitely take vigorous legal action in situations like this to protect its interests and those of its customers worldwide," it said.

Huawei said ZTE infringed its patents related to data cards and new-generation wireless networks, or Long Term Evolution (LTE).

Huawei, which provides products and solutions in more than 100 countries, on Friday disclosed images of a ZTE-branded wireless modem with a Huawei-registered trademark and data card that Huawei said featured its own patented design.

Hong Kong-listed ZTE and privately-held Huawei, both based in the southern China boomtown of Shenzhen, have expanded beyond China into the global telecommunications markets.