Apple Loses Patent Case to University of Wisconsin, Faces $862M Damages

[GennGreymane]

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-new...3941?cid=sm_fb

Apple Inc. could be facing up to $862 million in damages after a U.S. jury on Tuesday found the company used technology owned by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's licensing arm without permission in chips found in many of its iPhones and iPads.

The jury in Madison, Wisconsin, also said the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) patent, which improves processor efficiency, was valid. The trial will now move on to determine how much Apple owes in damages.

Apple declined to comment on the verdict. In an emailed statement, WARF told NBC News it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

WARF sued Apple in January 2014 alleging infringement of its 1998 patent for improving chip efficiency. 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.

According to a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge William Conley, who is presiding over the case, Apple could be liable for up to $862.4 million in damages. He scheduled the trial to proceed in three phases: liability, damages, and finally, whether Apple infringed the patent willfully, which could lead to enhanced penalties.

WARF used the patent to sue Intel Corp. in 2008, but the case was settled the following year on the eve of trial. Last month, WARF launched a second lawsuit against Apple, this time targeting the company's newest chips, the A9 and A9X, used in the just-released iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, as well as the iPad Pro.

The case is Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation v. Apple Inc in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, No. 14-cv-62

[Kujako]

Alright... and?

[Venant]

WARF just smacked Apple with a bat'leth for 862 million damage. Nerf incoming

[Puremallace]

Well considering Scott Walker has gutted higher ed in Wisconsin this is money well needed.

[SirRobin]

So free tuition for everyone attending that university, right?

[GennGreymane]

So free tuition for everyone attending that university, right?

That would be nice

Could call it the *we beat apple* scholarship.

[swisscheese]

Hah, as if Apple is gonna actually end up paying any significant amount. This is the US, you fools!

Unfortunately....this

[Forgettable]

Good, screw Apple and their crappy products.

[TrumpIsPresident]

Hahahaah, oh man. You are a funny one. You got jokes, sir. You got jokes.

Yea more like 50% goes to the government in taxes, 30% goes to the lawyers, 10% goes to the University high-ups as bonuses, and the other 10% goes into some "foundation" that funnels it to sleazebag union contractors who do "improvements" to the campus.

I'm still waiting for the lawsuit that forces Apple to give new devices to people for malicious deceiving them into downloading updates that intentionally slow their devices and destroy battery lifespan, leading them to believe its time to buy a new one.

[the game]

Good, take apple down a peg or two.

[Noradin]

So free tuition for everyone attending that university, right?

Nah, if they ever get any money at all they will spend it on a new handegg team or something.

[Deleted]

Patents, making innovation impossible since 1960.

[Collegeguy]

Apple claims everyone copies them while stealing all their ideas from everyone else.

[Orlong]

I dont see how this is even valid. The case is about processor patents, yet Apple doesnt make their own processors. They get them from other companies

[Kujako]

I dont see how this is even valid. The case is about processor patents, yet Apple doesnt make their own processors. They get them from other companies

Apple owns the designs, despite having Samsung and TSMC do the work.

[Hammerfest]

It's an interesting case. I'll be keeping track of it.

[Brangh]

I dont see how this is even valid. The case is about processor patents, yet Apple doesnt make their own processors. They get them from other companies

Apple designs the processors, other companies make them based upon their specifications. That is how Apple is liable. Intel had to cave to a similar lawsuit as well.

http://www.informationweek.com/mobil...a/d-id/1319766

[Kujako]

It's an interesting case. I'll be keeping track of it.

I don't know, kind of dull case to me. I'm more interested in how the Samsung version of the A9 is performing so much worse then the TSMC one. Expecting a class action suite from that (my iPhone has the "good" processor).

[ro9ue]

Oh look, two huge corporate entities trading obscene amounts of money over the ridiculous US patent system. This is new...