Teradyne and Elite Robots close cobot software case with undisclosed settlement
Teradyne Robotics and Elite Robots have mutually resolved a lawsuit over collaborative robot software, ending the case without revealing settlement terms. Teradyne had sued Elite Robots Deutschland earlier this year, alleging copyright infringement involving Universal Robots software, and a Hamburg court issued a preliminary injunction in April. Neither company admitted liability, and the settlement's specific obligations remain undisclosed.
Teradyne Robotics, part of Teradyne Inc. and parent of Universal Robots, announced the settlement on Oct. 1. The dispute began earlier this year when Teradyne sued Elite Robots Deutschland over alleged copyright infringement tied to Universal Robots software. In April, Hamburg’s regional court granted a preliminary injunction limiting Elite Robots Deutschland’s use of the software and products containing it in Germany.
The agreement includes no admission of liability by Elite Robots. Neither side disclosed obligations, payments, licensing changes, or product modifications. Teradyne also has an ongoing August patent case against JAKA Robotics’ German subsidiary involving three Universal Robots-assigned patents. Universal Robots recently launched Gen 7 and PolyScope X.
The settlement may affect manufacturers, integrators, and workers who rely on collaborative robots, because unresolved software rights could shape which vendors compete in Germany and beyond. It could also influence how smaller robotics firms approach licensing and code reuse, potentially raising legal caution or costs. For end users, uncertainty may slow adoption or delay feature rollouts, while clearer compliance expectations could eventually support safer, more interoperable cobot ecosystems.