Lawsuit

Major Apple-Samsung showdown due August 9

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 15, 2013

Two months following the $1.05 billion August 2012 ruling finding Samsung had infringed Apple's patented technology (non-standard-essential patents, to be precise), the iPhone maker expectedly sought a permanent U.S. sales ban on infringing Samsung devices.

Unfortunately, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh denied Apple’s injunction request on the merit that it would not be in the public’s best interest to halt handset sales just because Samsung copied a few features from the iPhone.

Shortly after, Apple filed an appeal and today the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has given notice of a scheduling decision - the two parties will face each other off again on August 9...

Microsoft suing US Customs for not enforcing ban on Motorola devices

Cody Lee ∙ July 14, 2013

As Apple fights to stay a recently-imposed import ban on some of its iOS devices, Microsoft is trying to push one forward. The Redmond company is suing the US Customs and Border Protection office for refusing to enforce an ITC order to block imports of Motorola phones.

In May 2012, the US International Trade Commission issued a ban on Motorola devices for infringing a Microsoft patent on syncing calendar events with other computers. The suit alleges Google has held secret meetings with US Customs, convincing the office to ignore the ban...

Apple could face triple damages in ebook verdict

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Although Apple said Wednesday it would appeal its loss in the Department of Justice's ebook pricing conspiracy case, the consensus among legal eagles is: good luck, but bring your check book. In her ruling yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Cote described the iBooks maker as the ringleader in a conspiracy to undercut Amazon's choke hold on the market for electronic books.

Apple's loss yesterday means the company faces triple damages. Despite Cote's wishes to assess damages soon, that phase could be delayed for months more as Apple asks an appeals court to overturn the ruling. But reversing the judge is likely an uphill battle as Apple seeks to do some PR damage control...

Apple found guilty of orchestrating e-book pricing conspiracy

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 10, 2013

A court Wednesday found Apple had conspired to increase the prices of e-books, setting a separate trial for damages.

In a 159-page decision, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Cote wrote that "Apple played a central role" in the conspiracy, which the company flatly denied.

The government has charged Apple with working with five publishers together to undercut Amazon's control of the market. In response to the verdict, some watchers opined that the government playing so openly into the hand of a monopolist like Amazon may reduce competition...

Apple’s lawsuit against Amazon over ‘App Store’ name ends in draw

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 9, 2013

Apple and Amazon have taken off the gloves back in 2011, apparently deciding the 'App Store' name is big enough for both companies. An Oakland, California district court pulled the plug on the dispute at the request of the two app providers. The decision to walk away from just who owns the 'App Store' title follows Apple agreeing not to sue Amazon, according to a report this morning...

Apple accused of pushing users to download HD movies on non-HD devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 28, 2017

With the September 2008 release of iTunes 8, Apple along with introducing a slew of new software features started upgrading resolution of movies and television shows sold on the iTunes Store to high-definition 720p. One Apple user has now taken the company to court over what in his view files as fraud, unjust enrichment and violation of consumer protection laws.

A Florida user took issue with iTunes movie downloads, alleging Apple tricked him into buying a pricier $4.99 high-definition version of the Big Daddy movie although his iPhone 3GS did not support playback of HD content. Claiming he was unaware an SD version was available for $3.99, he argues Apple should compensate the "millions" of owners of older hardware who paid a buck more to download HD versions of movies and TV shows...

Judge denies adding Galaxy S4 to Apple suit

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 27, 2013

Apple's plan to add Samsung's flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone to its second California suit has just hit a major roadblock as U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul S. Grewal just denied Apple's request on the ground that it would be a “a tax on the court’s resources”. A lawyer for Apple told the judge that excluding the Galaxy S4 “would require Apple to file a new lawsuit” because the Samsung products covered by the case will be out of date by trial next year, Bloomberg reported Thursday...

Samsung wants to settle EU antitrust case over Apple to sidestep $17.5B fine

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 25, 2013

The European Union six months ago launched a formal investigation into a potential breach of EU antitrust rules by Samsung. The antitrust investigation focused on the South Korean conglomerate's handling of industry-essential patents that EU regulators insist should be licensed to others on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms (FRAND).

The investigation determined that Samsung was abusing its patent portfolio by seeking high royalties it knew didn't make business sense, just so it could later assert those patents against rivals such as Apple. ”Samsung has been involved in settlement discussions for several months now," an unnamed source told Reuters on Tuesday. "Samsung wants to settle”...

Apple contacting iTunes users with details on in-app purchase settlement

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 23, 2017

Apple began sending out emails to some iTunes users this weekend, informing them of how the approximately 23 million people that are a part of the in-app purchases class-action lawsuit can apply for compensation.

The settlement, which will cost Apple in excess of $100 million, stems from a class action lawsuit filed against Apple by parents who complained that it was far too easy for their children to make in-app purchases...

Tokyo court finds Samsung guilty of infringing on Apple’s ‘rubber banding’ patent

Cody Lee ∙ June 21, 2013

On Friday, a Tokyo court found a number of Samsung's legacy smartphone models to be guilty of infringing on one of Apple's patents. More specifically, it's the infamous 'rubber banding' patent, which Apple has used in a number of courtroom battles.

For those unfamiliar with the 'rubber banding' property, it covers the software action that triggers the bounce-back animation when a user reaches the end of a scrolling document. And the Japan court feels older Samsung handsets infringe upon it...

Texas firm suing Apple over call forwarding feature found in iPhone 4S/5

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Apple's no stranger to being on the defendant side of patent infringement lawsuits. In addition to its ongoing court battle with Samsung, there are a number of smaller companies hoping to squeeze some money out of the tech giant via patent suits. And today, we're adding another one to the list.

Texas-based Bluebonnet Telecommunications filed a lawsuit against Apple yesterday in an [surprise] Eastern District Texas courtroom, claiming that the call forwarding feature found in the company's iPhone 4S and 5 handsets infringes on one of its patents it has owned for over a decade...

Eddy Cue talks Steve Jobs, page curls and iBooks launch at e-book hearing

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Eddy Cue once again took the stand today in Apple's ongoing antitrust case with the Department of Justice. The company's SVP of Internet software and services took the stand on Friday to talk about Steve Jobs' involvement in Apple's iBooks project. And this morning, he offered up a few more details.

Cue spoke more candidly on the witness stand today, providing several interesting tidbits about Jobs' participation in Apple's iBooks launch back in 2010. Apparently, the then-CEO had a big hand in the project, doing everything from designing minor UI details to choosing which book to offer for free...