Cognizant Challenges Infosys’ Antitrust Claims in Ongoing Legal Dispute

Cognizant Technology Solutions has approached a U.S. court to seek the dismissal of antitrust counterclaims raised by Infosys. Cognizant argues that Infosys has not presented sufficient factual evidence to substantiate its allegations of monopolistic behavior and anti-competitive practices. This move comes as part of a broader legal conflict that has persisted for eight months between the two IT giants.

Cognizant’s Defense Strategy

Infosys previously accused Cognizant of using its market power to limit competition against its healthcare platform, Helix, which they claim is stifled by Cognizant’s TriZetto Software Group. Cognizant’s response to these allegations characterizes them as “bare-bones, conclusory allegations” that lack a solid foundation for a credible antitrust case. In its filing, Cognizant stated, “Infosys Limited’s opposition brief reveals the weakness of its antitrust counterclaims. At every step, Infosys retreats to the most fringe theories of antitrust law.” The company emphasized that Infosys’ claims “never make it past the realm of merely conceivable” and, as such, should be dismissed outright.

Scrutiny of Monopoly Claims

Within the legal skirmish, Infosys accused Cognizant of artificially inflating prices and hindering market entry to sustain its supremacy in the healthcare software industry. However, Cognizant countered that Infosys failed to delineate relevant market definitions and has not satisfactorily demonstrated that Cognizant possesses monopoly power, given its 65% market share, which is notably below the 70% threshold usually necessary for monopoly claims.

Cognizant also refuted claims of predatory hiring practices, which alleged that they had unethically recruited high-profile Infosys executives, including the current CEO, Ravi Kumar S. The company asserted that such hiring practices are standard within the industry and do not contravene any laws.

Background of the Legal Battle

The legal tensions between Cognizant and Infosys commenced in August 2024, when Cognizant accused its rival of misappropriating trade secrets associated with its TriZetto healthcare platform. In response, Infosys filed an antitrust counterclaim in January 2025, alleging that Cognizant had employed exclusionary tactics to suppress competition effectively.