MMI Research has successfully enforced a patent for breaking through GSM security in the Patents Court in London.

In a ruling on March 11, Mr Justice Floyd found that European patent 1,051,053 for a method for identifying a mobile phone user or for eavesdropping on outgoing calls, which is co-owned by MMI, is valid.

He also found that it was infringed by rival company Cellxion’s DX918 product.

The technology can be used by law enforcement authorities who need to break through GSM security to track the movement of mobile phones and their users.

Damages will be assessed at a future hearing. Cellxion must also pay an estimated £1 million ($1.4 million) towards MMI’s costs.

MMI was represented by barristers Martin Howe QC and Henry Ward and law firm Charles Russell. The defendants were represented by barristers Alastair Wilson QC and Simon Malynicz and law firm Edwin Coe.