CalTech Claims Apple Has Violated Its Wi-Fi Patents

According to a recent report, California Institute of Technology (CalTech) has filed a suit against Apple and Broadcom for allegedly using its Wi-Fi patents in their products. CalTech believes that Apple’s iPhone 5 and newer devices (including iPad, Mac and Apple Watch) that use Broadcom Wi-Fi infringe one the patents that focus on IRA/LDPC codes, which is an encoding and decoding circuitry designed to improve overall data transmission performance and rates.

Apple manufactures, uses, imports, offers for sale, and/or sells Wi-Fi products that incorporate IRA/LDPC encoders and/or decoders and infringe the Asserted Patents. Apple products that incorporate IRA/LDPC encoders and/or decoders and infringe the Asserted Patents include, but are not limited to, the following: iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro, iPad Mini 4, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 2, MacBook Air [and] Apple Watch.

In the same lawsuit, CalTech has also named Broadcom as a company that also infringes its patents. According to the filing, Broadcom is responsible for supplying Wi-Fi chips, Apple Watch, iPhones, and iPads, as well as its line of Macs that support 802.11ac.

Apple is one of Broadcom’s largest customers. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, sales to Apple represented 14.6%, 13.3% and 14.0% of Broadcom Corp.’s net revenue, respectively. […] During this timeframe, Broadcom’s Wi-Fi products that incorporate IRA/LDPC encoders and decoders and infringe the Asserted Patents were incorporated into Apple’s key products including iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. […] Broadcom and Apple are jointly and severally liable for infringement of the Asserted Patents.

In the suit, CalTech wants a sales ban against the infringing devices and is currently looking for a jury trial moving forward. While it has not mentioned any settlement amount in the filing, Caltech is expecting “adequate” damages paid to school.

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