Skip to main content

Apple ordered to pay $85M in damages following retrial of WiLan patent infringement case

A jury in San Diego, California has ruled that Apple must pay WiLan a total of $85 million for patent infringement, as reported by Bloomberg. This was a retrial of a case from last year in which WiLan won $145 million, a ruling that was set aside by U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw.

The two patents at the heart of this infringement case cover ways to make phone calls and simultaneously download data. One is for a “method and apparatus for bandwidth request protocols in a wireless communication system,” while the other is for “adaptive call admission control for use in a wireless communication system.”

Last year, WiLan, which is a Quarterhill company, was awarded $145 million in its patent infringement suit against Apple. Apple argued that WiLan had used an incorrect method to determine damages based on iPhone sales, an argument with which Judge Sabraw agreed, prompting him to set aside the ruling. WiLan was told to accept a recalculated amount of $10 million, or hold a new trial. It opted for the latter of the two options.

WiLan was founded in 1992 with a focus on developing wireless technology, but in 2006 the company shifted its strategy to become a patent holdings entity. The company describes itself as “one of the most successful patent licensing companies in the wold,” with the goal of helping “companies unlock the value of intellectual property by managing and licensing their patent portfolios.”

As Bloomberg points out, licensing accounted for “more than half of Quarterhill’s $107.6 million in sales in the first nine months” of 2018.

WiLan sued Apple in 2014, alleging that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 infringed upon the aforementioned patents. Apple argued that WiLan did not currently assess the value of the technology in its iPhones, and that WiLan had not provided enough evidence to the jury in the case.

What comes next in this trial remains to be seen, but for now, Apple is on the hook for $85 million.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.

Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications