- TP-Link claims Netgear misrepresented a Microsoft report, significantly damaging its public reputation
- Netgear CEO’s Comments Allegedly Incorrectly Linked TP-Link to Chinese State-Backed Cyber Campaigns
- Controversial Statements Reference Threat Groups Using Typhoon Name Without Vendor Attribution
TP-Link has filed a lawsuit accusing hardware giant Netgear of intentionally spreading misleading claims that portrayed the company as linked to Chinese state-backed cyber threats.
The complaint alleges that comments made by Netgear CEO Charles Prober during a recent earnings call implied that TP-Link had a role in cyberattacks attributed to groups tracked under the Typhoon naming scheme, even though it was not attributed to the vendor in initial reports.
TP-Link maintains that these statements distorted public perception and contributed to media reports suggesting that its products pose a national security concern in the United States.
Controversial references to cyber espionage activities
During the earnings call, Prober referenced Microsoft’s findings about a cyber campaign involving TP-Link routers, framing the issue as part of broader national security scrutiny.
TP-Link disputes this interpretation, saying that the report did not identify any involvement by the provider itself, only that attackers had exploited its routers as part of a botnet.
The company argues that citing multiple threat groups under the Typhoon name created a misleading association between the vendor and Chinese state operations.
TP-Link alleges that those statements were not only false but also derogatory.
The company highlights that it is incorporated and headquartered in California, employs hundreds of people in the state and maintains US-based leadership responsible for global decisions.
Its complaint acknowledges the existence of a separate predecessor entity based in China, but claims that TP-Link Systems and TP-Link Technologies now operate independently.
The company says its US headquarters refutes claims of Chinese government control or origin-based risk.
The filing also references a previous agreement in which TP-Link paid Netgear $135 million to settle patent litigation.
Under that agreement, Netgear reportedly agreed to stop making disparaging statements about TP-Link and its products.
TP-Link maintains that comments made in recent investor calls constitute a breach of that agreement and amount to commercial disparagement and unjust enrichment.
The supplier seeks damages and a jury trial to address reputational damage and alleged contract violations.
Media reports have suggested that US agencies may be examining TP-Link products in relation to national security concerns, although no official confirmation has been issued.
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