TP-Link has filed a lawsuit against Netgear, accusing the company of a smear campaign involving false statements about national security risks. The action claims Netgear linked TP-Link to state-backed cyberattacks, portraying it as a threat to US security. This legal battle highlights escalating tensions in the router market.
In a bold countermove amid intensifying competition in the networking hardware sector, TP-Link announced it is suing Netgear for allegedly spreading misleading information. The complaint centers on claims that Netgear's statements falsely tied TP-Link to national security vulnerabilities and state-sponsored cyber threats, damaging its reputation in the US market.
TP-Link describes the actions as a deliberate smear campaign designed to make its products appear as a national security risk. This escalation, dubbed the 'router wars,' underscores the fierce rivalry between the two companies, both major players in consumer and enterprise routers.
The lawsuit was reported on November 23, 2025, signaling a potential shift in how competitors address security concerns in tech hardware. While details of the filing remain limited, TP-Link's response aims to counter what it views as baseless accusations that could undermine its business operations.
No immediate reaction from Netgear was available in initial reports, but the case could set precedents for handling competitive claims in the cybersecurity-sensitive router industry.