Chinese radio manufacturer Hytera has admitted guilt in federal court for conspiring to steal digital walkie-talkie technology from U.S.-based Motorola Solutions, facing fines up to $60 million.
The company acknowledged stealing technology related to Motorola's digital mobile radio (DMR) product line that was introduced around 2007. Hytera, partially owned by a Chinese local government, used the stolen information to develop competing products sold in Illinois after 2016.
According to court documents, seven Hytera employees orchestrated the theft in 2008, targeting Motorola's Malaysian subsidiary. The scheme involved poaching Gee Siong Kok, then a senior engineering manager at Motorola, who helped recruit other employees to steal proprietary technology and source code.
The Department of Justice filed charges in 2021 against Hytera and the seven individuals involved. While Kok has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing, the other six co-defendants remain at large.
Motorola Solutions Chairman and CEO Greg Brown called the guilty plea a validation of evidence showing Hytera as "a bad actor and felon." The company plans to continue pursuing legal action against Hytera, having already won several cases internationally.
In 2020, Motorola prevailed in a civil case against Hytera, initially winning $764.6 million in damages, later reduced to approximately $471 million by courts. Motorola continues efforts to collect this award while maintaining ongoing civil litigation against Hytera.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 6 before U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr., where the court will also determine the restitution amount Hytera must pay to Motorola.