Daedalus Prime v Xiaomi Technology Netherlands (CoA, 8 January 2025)

Dhenne Avocats · 10 October 2026

Our analysis

Summary

By an order of 8 January 2025 (UPC_CoA_621/2024), the Court of Appeal (panel 1a) granted MediaTek leave to intervene in support of Xiaomi in Daedalus Prime’s appeal against a Hamburg Local Division order on access by its US attorneys to confidential information (Rule 262A, EP 2792100). The passages at issue, filed by Xiaomi, describe the architecture of MediaTek processors. The order recognises a supplier’s own interest in protecting its secrets, even when a third party put them before the court.

Question

Does a component maker whose architecture is described in confidential material filed by the defendant have an interest in intervening, and is its late application admissible?

Decision

Intervention requires a direct and present interest in the grant of the order sought by the supported party (paragraph 12, citing the Court of Appeal, 10 January 2024, UPC_CoA_404/2023). MediaTek has such an interest in the confidentiality of information on its own processors, even though Xiaomi filed it (paragraph 13). Whether the US attorneys already have access in parallel US proceedings goes to the merits of the appeal (paragraph 14), and MediaTek’s recent appearance in the infringement action is no waiver (paragraph 15). Intervention after the close of the written procedure is admissible under Rule 313.2, as MediaTek will file no statement and only attend the hearing, causing no delay (paragraph 16). MediaTek and Xiaomi must coordinate their oral submissions (paragraph 20).

Key points for practice

• Practical point: a supplier whose technical secrets appear in a customer-defendant’s filings may intervene in the confidentiality dispute, even late if it confines itself to the hearing.

Provisions applied

Rules of Procedure

Rules 262A, 313.1, 313.2, 315.1 to 315.3 and 333

Case law cited

Ocado Innovation v Autostore, Court of Appeal, 10 January 2024 (UPC_CoA_404/2023)

Prepared by Dhenne Avocats from the official decision, consulted on 10 October 2026. The database is updated every week, on Friday. Only the official text is authoritative.