Cisco Systems Inc accused Chinese telecoms equipment vendor Huawei Technologies Co Ltd of unlawful copying of Cisco's intellectual property in a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas yesterday.

The suit was filed against Huawei Technologies as well as its subsidiaries Huawei America Inc and FutureWei Technologies Inc.

Cisco claimed that Shenzhen, China-based Huawei "unlawfully copied and misappropriated Cisco's IOS software including source code." Cisco also claimed the Chinese company copied Cisco documentation and other copyrighted materials.

Amongst other claims, San Jose, California-based Cisco said portions of its IOS source code found its way into Huawei's operating system for its Quidway routers and switches. Cisco claimed the Huawei OS included text strings, files names and bugs that were identical with Cisco's IOS source code. The suit alleges that Huawei is infringing at least five Cisco patents.

Cisco said its suit sought remedies to prevent the continued misappropriation of its IP by Huawei as well as damages. Huawei was not available to comment.

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