According to Reuters, Apple is ordered to pay $502 million to a U.S. patent holder for the use of 4G patents in iPhones and iPads.
The longstanding legal battle began in 2019 when American company Optis Cellular Technology LLC took Apple to court in London, United Kingdom for using patents exclusive to Optis. The Texas-based company claims that such patents are tied to 4G technologies.
Working in tandem with Optis’ FRAND (Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory) framework, London’s Court of Appeal ruled that Apple must pay Optis a total sum of $502 million excluding interest, covering the period from 2013 to 2027. (source)
In 2023, London’s High Court ruled that Apple is to pay Optis a sum of $56.43 million in damages. However, Optis appealed against the decision as the company was dissatisfied with the low number.
It is reported that Apple were ‘disappointed by this decision’ and will be appealing against the decision.
Optis responded with the statement:
We will continue to ensure fair compensation for the Optis intellectual property that enables high-speed connectivity for millions of devices around the world.
Thursday’s ruling is the latest decision in the legal battle between Apple and Optis over the FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms to use Optis’ patents.
This is Apple’s one of many patent infringement cases. The American tech company was sued 181 times just in the past five years alone.
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