Apple Wins Third Trial in 4G Patent Lawsuit

• Previous juries awarded Optis $506 million and $300 million against Apple, but both verdicts were reversed on appeal due to procedural issues including improper jury instructions
• Apple characterized Optis as a non-practicing entity whose 'sole business is to sue companies' seeking excessive payouts, while denying infringement and challenging patent validity
• A separate UK court ruling last year found Apple owes Optis $502 million for infringing UK wireless patents, with Apple's appeal scheduled for hearing at the UK Supreme Court in June

Apple Wins Third Trial in 4G Patent Lawsuit Against Optis Wireless

Apple successfully defended itself against patent infringement allegations by Optis Wireless in a Texas jury trial on February 12, marking the third trial in this prolonged legal dispute. The tech giant was previously ordered to pay verdicts totaling $506 million and $300 million in earlier trials, both of which were subsequently overturned on appeal.

Key Background:

Plano, Texas-based Optis Wireless and its affiliates sued Apple in 2019, claiming iPhones and other Apple products violated patent rights related to 4G LTE wireless standard technology. Apple has consistently denied the allegations and challenged the patents' validity.

Previous Legal History:

• A jury initially awarded Optis $506 million, but U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap ordered a retrial in 2021, citing concerns the award didn't align with fair and reasonable licensing terms
• A second jury awarded $300 million in a retrial later that year
• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the second verdict, ruling the jury verdict form was improperly worded

Company Statements:

Apple characterized Optis as a non-practicing entity, stating: "Optis makes no products, and its sole business is to sue companies, which it has done repeatedly to Apple in an attempt to obtain an excessive payout."

International Implications:

A U.K. court ruled last year that Apple owes Optis $502 million for infringing UK wireless patents. Apple has appealed, with the U.K. Supreme Court scheduled to hear arguments in June.

The verdict represents a significant win for Apple against patent assertion entities in the wireless technology sector.