Apple May Owe $862M After Losing A Patent Lawsuit

Apple May Owe $862M After Losing A Patent Lawsuit
Photo Courtesy: UPI

CUPERTINO, Calif., Oct. 14 (UPI) — Apple could owe up to $862 million in damages after losing a lawsuit accusing the tech giant of infringing on a patent held by the University of Wisconsin.

A federal jury in Madison, Wis. said Apple illegally used a University of Wisconsin patent for technology aimed at improving the efficiency of microchips.

The lawsuit says the technology was used in the iPhones 5s, 6, and 6 Plus. An additional lawsuit regarding its use in the company’s newest models, 6s and 6s Plus, was filed in September.

Court documents show Apple insisted that the patent was not valid, but the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation opined differently when they sued the company in January 2014. The university further added that it approached Apple about licensing the technology for a fee but was rejected.

The foundation also sued Intel in 2008 for illegal use of the same patent, but the case was settled out of court before a scheduled trial.

Though the damages to be paid have not been determined, the university is seeking up to $862.4 million.

The BBC says patent battles continue to be fought in the tech industry. Last week, a judge dismissed claims by California-based graphics card manufacturer Nvidia that Samsung and other companies had illegally used three of its patents.

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