Apple won a defense verdict on Thursday in a U.S. patent lawsuit brought by intellectual-property management firm Optis Wireless, which had accused the iPhone maker of infringing patents related to 4G wireless technology.
The verdict marks the latest turn in a protracted legal battle that has played out for years in federal court in Marshall, Texas. Optis had previously secured jury awards of $506 million and $300 million against Apple in earlier trials, but both rulings were later overturned on appeal.
“We thank the jury for their time, and we’re pleased they rejected Optis’ false claims,” an Apple spokesperson said following the verdict. The company added that Optis “makes no products” and operates primarily by suing technology firms to seek what Apple described as excessive payouts.
Plano, Texas-based Optis and its affiliates first sued Apple in 2019, alleging that Apple’s iPhones and other devices violated patents essential to the 4G LTE wireless standard. Apple has consistently denied the claims, arguing that the patents are either invalid or subject to fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing obligations.
In 2020, a jury initially found Apple liable and awarded Optis $506 million in damages. However, U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap later ordered a new trial on damages, citing concerns that the award may not have properly reflected Optis’ obligation to license its patents on fair and reasonable terms.
A second jury subsequently awarded Optis $300 million in a retrial, but that verdict was overturned last year by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The appeals court ruled that the jury verdict form was flawed because it combined multiple patents into a single infringement question.
The dispute continues to have international dimensions. A U.K. court ruled last year that Apple owes Optis $502 million for infringing Optis’ UK wireless patents. Apple has appealed that decision, and the U.K. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case in June.
The U.S. defense verdict strengthens Apple’s position in its domestic litigation with Optis, though the broader global patent fight over wireless technology licensing remains unresolved.
