Waymo Drops Most Patent Claims in Car Tech Fight With Uber

  • Alphabet unit keeps one patent claim focused on ‘Fuji’ lidar
  • Judge Alsup has told Waymo to narrow trade secrets claims

Why Waymo Is Dropping Most Patent Claims in Uber Suit

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Waymo, Alphabet Inc.’s self-driving car division, dropped three of four patent-infringement claims in its lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc. over the startup’s autonomous vehicle program.

Waymo’s decision to include patent claims in its complaint against Uber was a surprise move for Google parent Alphabet, which normally prides itself on limiting patent fights. The bulk of Waymo’s case is not over patents, but trade secrets.