Texas federal court rules Apple owes $300M in patent infringement case News
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Texas federal court rules Apple owes $300M in patent infringement case

A Texas federal court judge Tuesday ruled Apple Inc. owes $300M in damages in a patent infringement case. The Texas US District Court denied Apple’s motion for a new trial and judgement as a matter of law.

Optis Wireless Technology, LLC, along with several of other Optis companies, sued Apple in 2019 alleging the iPhone-maker infringed upon seven of Optis’ patents. The case proceeded to trial on only five of the patents. Following trial, in August 2020 a Texas federal jury found that Apple willfully infringed certain claims of the five asserted patents. Optis was awarded approximately $506 million. Apple moved for a new trial, claiming the jury did not hear particular evidence. Apple claimed that, at minimum, damages should be retried.

In April 2021 the court granted Apple a new trial and vacated the court’s previous judgement regarding damages. Following a new jury trial, Apple owed $300 million for infringing Optis patents. Again, Apple moved for a new trial and a judgement as a matter of law, asking the court to return a verdict without jury deliberation.

US District Judge Rodney Gilstrap rejected Apple’s arguments. Gilstrap found that substantial evidence raised during the retrial supported the $300 million damages award. Gilstrap also said none of Apple’s arguments so compelled the court to overcome the substantial evidence presented at trial. As a result, Apple still owes Optis $300 million in damages.

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