(Yicai Global) March 9 -- Hytera Communications said today that it will apply for a retrial or an appeal against a judgment by a US federal court in Illinois that it must pay USD765 million to Motorola Solutions as damages.

The award will greatly impact the Shenzhen-based radio equipment maker's 2019 earnings and inflict on it losses of CNY4.8 billion (USD692.4 million) to CNY4.9 billion, it has said previously.

Some of Hytera's digital mobile radio products infringed 21 of Motorola's trade secrets and four of its US copyrights, the Chicago-based firm claimed at last month's trial in the city, relying on the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, and demanded compensation. The jury sided with Motorola and the court handed down its judgment on Feb. 5, ordering Hytera to pay USD345.8 million in compensatory damages and USD418.9 million in punitive ones.

Motorola has filed a slew of lawsuits against Hytera since March 2017, accusing the Shenzhen-based firm of hijacking its intellectual property before US, German and Australian courts. A retrial or appeal takes anywhere from two to three years in the American federal judicial system.

Formed in 1993, Hytera develops, produces, sells and provides professional wireless communication equipment and services such as intercom terminals and trunking systems, command and dispatch systems, integrated communications and modified vehicles, Internet of Things, and emergency and satellite communications.

The company bills itself as the "world's leading provider of innovative professional mobile radio (PMR) solutions" on its website. Motorola Solutions is its inveterate rival in international markets.

Hytera's shares [SHE:002583] ended today little changed at CNY7.79 (USD1.12) each. The benchmark Shenzhen Component Index fell 4 percent.

Editor: Ben Armour