The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Wins their Case against Apple for Infringing Processor Technology
Patently Apple broke the news in February 2014 that Apple's A7 Processor was targeted in a patent lawsuit filed by The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) regarding patent 5,781,752. WARF believed that Apple's newest products—including the iPhone 5S, the iPad Air, and the iPad Mini with Retina Display—each used Apple's newest A7 processor that infringed on their patent. Today's breaking news reports that The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation has won their case.
According to Reuters this afternoon, "Apple could be facing up to $862 million in damages after a U.S. jury on Tuesday found the iPhone maker used technology owned by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's licensing arm without permission in chips found in many of its most popular devices.
The jury in Madison, Wisconsin also said the patent, which improves processor efficiency, was valid. The trial will now move on to determine how much Apple owes in damages
The jury was considering whether Apple's A7, A8 and A8X processors, found in the iPhone 5s, 6 and 6 Plus, as well as several versions of the iPad, violate the patent.
Cupertino, California-based Apple denied any infringement and argued the patent is invalid, according to court papers. Apple previously tried to convince the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to review the patent's validity, but in April the agency rejected the bid."
In the original lawsuit WARF noted that Apple had stated that it is the policy of the company not to accept or consider proposals regarding licensing from outside entities like WARF for any purpose, making the initiation of this lawsuit a necessity.
For the record, WARF filed a second lawsuit against Apple just last month claiming that Apple's latest A9 and A9X processors infringe upon the same patent as noted in the original case.
Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of certain legal cases/ lawsuits which are part of the public record for journalistic news purposes. Readers are cautioned that Patently Apple does not offer a legal opinion on the merit of the case. A lawyer should be consulted for any further details or analysis. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments. See our Legal Archives for other patent infringement cases.
Comments