China-based smartphone vendors may engage in patent wars in their home market as Huawei and ZTE reportedly have begun taking legal action against rivals including Xiaomi Technology, Oppo and Vivo, according to industry sources.

Huawei and ZTE have both built up their patent portfolio since the two companies are the leading telecom equipment suppliers in China and also in the global telecom market. Meanwhile, Lenovo also possesses more patent assets that can help it resist patent complaints.

However, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Gionee and K-Touch are more vulnerable to patent infringement complaints due to a lack of patent portfolio, added the sources.

Huawei and ZTE, which have lost out to Xiaomi in terms of market share, may regain part of their territories through a series of patent lawsuits, commented the sources.