A legal battle has begun between companies drawing attention in the AR glasses market. XREAL, a developer of AR glasses, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against its competitor, VITURE. The complaint was submitted to a federal district court in Texas, United States, where an XREAL subsidiary alleges that patents related to optical system technologies for AR have been infringed. The products accused of infringement include multiple models sold under the VITURE brand, such as VITURE Pro, Luma Pro, and Luma Ultra.
In response, VITURE has strongly criticized XREAL’s actions, describing them as “a weapon of unfair competition rather than legitimate protection of innovation.” VITURE argues that similar patents have already been rejected in China, that the patents in question are close to mere design changes and therefore of low value, and that they can be easily invalidated. On these grounds, VITURE contends that no infringement has occurred. The claims on both sides go beyond a simple technical dispute and take on the character of a struggle for market dominance.
The Reality of the Information Battle Over “Sales Bans”
One particularly interesting aspect of this case is the confusion surrounding information about the European market. XREAL claimed that VITURE products had been banned from sale in nine European countries, but VITURE has categorically denied this. In reality, a German court issued a preliminary injunction in November 2025 that restricted the sale and import within Germany of a specific product—namely, the “Viture Pro.” VITURE has already appealed this provisional measure, and sales of other products continue across Europe.
In patent litigation, the impression conveyed to the market can be just as important as the court’s actual ruling. If the phrase “sales ban” takes on a life of its own, the impact on consumers and distributors can be substantial. Against this backdrop, VITURE’s decision to pursue legal action over the dissemination of what it considers false information reflects a strong wariness of this information battle.
An AR Glasses Market Accelerating in Investment and Partnerships
Behind this lawsuit lies the rapid growth of the AR glasses market itself. Starting with the XREAL ONE series, XREAL rolled out a succession of new products from late 2025 to early 2026. The company also announced the “ROG XREAL R1,” jointly developed with ASUS, and revealed a USD 100 million funding round in January 2026. The funds are expected to support the global expansion of XR glasses, underscoring XREAL’s clear growth ambitions.
Looking at the broader market, while Meta is focusing on AI and smart glasses, XREAL is developing the AR glasses “Project Aura” with Google. As technological development, capital, and partnerships intertwine in increasingly complex ways, the handling of intellectual property has become a critical factor in determining competitive advantage.
XREAL, Once on the Receiving End of Litigation
What is particularly noteworthy is that XREAL itself was once on the receiving end of a lawsuit. In 2019, Magic Leap sued XREAL—then known as nreal—and its founder CEO, alleging the misappropriation of confidential information by former employees. However, in 2020, a U.S. court dismissed all claims, finding no evidence of misappropriation of device information.
Seen in this light, XREAL’s current position as the plaintiff is symbolic. As startups grow and enter a phase of competing for market leadership, intellectual property strategies often shift from defense to offense. The AR glasses market may now be standing at precisely such a turning point.
Is Legal Conflict a “Growing Pain” or a Watershed Moment?
This lawsuit can be viewed not merely as a corporate conflict, but as a form of “growing pain” arising as the emerging AR glasses market moves toward maturity. Patents are, in principle, a system designed to promote technological innovation, yet it cannot be denied that they are also used as part of competitive strategy.
Of course, how the courts ultimately rule will be important. Even more significant, however, is the stance that both companies take toward the market and users. How will they strike a balance between technological innovation and fair competition? The XREAL vs. VITURE dispute may well serve as a touchstone for the future direction of the entire AR glasses market.