TP-Link accuses Netgear of 'Smear Campaign' to advance US router ban

Wi-Fi router maker TP-Link is suing rival Netgear over claims it’s been waging an "unlawful smear campaign" to paint the company as a threat to US national security.

The Trump administration is considering banning TP-Link's products over the vendor’s alleged ties to China. At the heart of the controversy is a fear that the Chinese government will coerce TP-Link or use its hardware to surveil Americans. TP-Link points to how it spun off from its Chinese counterpart last year and is now headquartered in Irvine, California.

But Monday's lawsuit claims Netgear has been spreading misinformation about the company to journalists, pundits, and consultants all the while lobbying the US government. "Netgear’s misconduct has injured and threatens injury to well over a billion dollars in sales, for which it will be held accountable," TP-Link's filing says.

The complaint doesn't provide much evidence of Netgear seeding misinformation to journalists, consultants, or US lawmakers. (The NSA's former director of cybersecurity, Rob Joyce, and ex-New York Times journalist Nicole Perloth are named.) But the lawsuit cites several instances where Netgear CEO Charles "CJ" Prober mentioned TP-Link in earning calls. This included bringing up a Bloomberg article that questioned TP-Link's separation from its Chinese counterpart, noting the company still relies on R&D based in the country.

Read more -here-