Hytera Communications Corp. Ltd., Stealing Trade Secrets, Illinois 2025

CHICAGO — In a shocking turn of events, a Chinese telecommunications company has been caught red-handed in a brazen attempt to steal technology from Illinois-based Motorola Solutions, Inc.

According to a federal court in Chicago, HYTERA COMMUNICATIONS CORP. LTD. pleaded guilty on Monday in the Northern District of Illinois to a federal charge of conspiracy to steal trade secrets.

Under the terms of a plea agreement, Hytera may be fined up to $60 million. The Court must also order Hytera to make full restitution to Motorola, in an amount to be determined by the Court at sentencing.

The sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 6, 2025, before U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr.

According to the plea agreement, Hytera, through the acts of individuals acting to benefit the company, knowingly conspired to steal at least one trade secret from Motorola. In 2008, the individuals agreed to take documents and source code related to Motorola’s digital mobile radio technology, and then used some of that information to develop Hytera products, some of which were later sold in Illinois, the plea agreement states.

Hytera stated in the plea agreement that the individuals knew and/or reasonably believed that some of the information they agreed to steal was reasonably protected and kept secret by Motorola, and that taking at least one trade secret would potentially injure Motorola.

The plea agreement was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven J. Dollear, Melody Wells, Thomas P. Peabody, and Wesley Morrissette.

Hytera Communications Corp. Ltd. is the defendant in this case. The exact criminal charge is conspiracy to steal trade secrets. The city and state are Chicago, Illinois. The exact date of the plea agreement is not specified, but the sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 6, 2025. The sentence or outcome is a fine of up to $60 million, with restitution to be determined at sentencing.

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