Technology patent house Mosaid Technologies Inc. is disputed several claims by Wi-LAN Inc. , a rival currently trying to take Mosaid over — including that it has been "inconsistent" with the sales outlook for its wireless devices.
The hostile takeover target fired back Friday following accusations by Wi-LAN a day earlier, standing behind an prediction that sales of devices using its patents without a licence could reach $500-billion (U.S.) over five years and $1-trillion over 10 years.
As an owner of such patents, Mosaid could hope to recover fees from those using them without permission either through litigation, settlements or negotiated agreements.
Mosaid said Wi-LAN mischaracterized the timeline of those expectations in an outline to shareholders. The response comes as the two companies clash and Ottawa-based Wi-LAN pursues the favour of stakeholders for its $480-million offer.
"We again caution shareholders to not be misled by Wi-LAN's spin," said Mosaid chairman Carl Schlachte in a release.
"Wi-LAN's newest mischaracterizations are a continuation of its efforts to drive down Mosaid's value for its own self interest."
Shares of Mosaid were down 11 cents (Canadian) to $37.88 in late morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
On Thursday, Wi-LAN also questioned the value patents that Mosaid recently bought and the impact it may have on its bid.
Wi-LAN said the full financial impact of Mosaid's deal to acquire 2,000 patents and patent applications originally filed by mobile phone giant Nokia isn't known and could negatively impact the company and shareholders.
Under the deal, Mosaid is buying Luxembourg-based Core Wireless Licensing, which has a portfolio of Nokia patents. Mosaid will pay for the acquisition through royalties from future licensing and enforcement revenues.
Wi-LAN has extended its offer of $38 per share until Oct. 14.
It's now a condition of its offer that no terms of the patent purchase transaction, including those which haven't been publicly disclosed, exist which could have a "material adverse affect" on Wi-LAN, it said.
Wi-LAN has also asked regulators to scrap a proposed poison pill defence set up by Mosaid to prevent a hostile takeover.