Apple Inc fined $553 million for patent infringement

US Tech giant Apple Inc has been fined $553 million for three patent infringements owned by patent licensing firm Smartflash LLC.

This verdict was given by federal Jury in US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The Jury in its verdict found out that Apple Inc’s iTunes software has infringed three patents owned by Smartflash LLC.

The federal jury in its verdict also held that Apple had not only used Smartflash’s patents without permission, but also used them willfully.

Background

In May 2013, Smartflash LLC had sued Apple Inc, alleging that iTunes software has violated its 3 patents related to accessing and storing downloaded songs, videos and games. In this regard, Smartflash LLC had asked $852 million in damages from Apple.


Tags: Apple • Current Affairs 2016 • Patent

