Hamburg’s Regional Court has issued a preliminary injunction against Elite Robots Germany, the German arm of Chinese robot maker Elite Robots, after claims of copyright infringement.

Teradyne Robotics first initiated court action against Elite Robots in February claiming its German subsidiary infringed upon the copyright of Universal Robots.

Teradyne Robotics is the sister company of Universal Robots. Universal Robots was acquired by parent company Teradyne in 2015.

“According to the court’s decision, Elite Robots Germany is immediately prohibited from offering or distributing the infringing software and all products containing this software in Germany until further notice,” Teradyne Robotics says in a statement.

“Moreover, Elite Robots Germany is obligated to provide comprehensive information about the infringing acts it has committed and, in doing so, also to disclose information about the customers it has supplied. 

“Teradyne Robotics intends to take legal action against Elite Robots’ distributors and partners if they continue to offer the infringing software.”

The Hamburg preliminary injunction occurred at the start of HANNOVER MESSE 2026.

Teradyne Robotics states it has chosen to “take a stand against any competitors copying our proprietary hardware or software design and we are of course pleased with this ruling”, according to president Jean-Pierre Hathout.

“We believe we have irrefutable evidence of copyright infringement and, while this is not a final ruling from the court, it is a clear indication that we have a very strong case.”

Teradyne Robotics has posited the case as highlighting the “broader challenge for Europe’s industrial future”.

Hathout adds after the Hamburg ruling: “Automation and innovation are critical to our industrial future”. 

"We cannot passively allow companies to unlawfully copy protected technologies,” he continues. “This not only hampers research and innovation but also undermines customer experience and confidence. 

“Teradyne Robotics remains fully committed to protecting our intellectual property and to ensuring automation customers have access to the safe, innovative and high-quality solutions they deserve.”