CalTech awarded $1.1 billion in patent infringement case against Apple and Broadcom

[Cal Jeffrey]

It's only a decimal point: It’s a good thing Apple turned in a record-breaking first quarter for the 2020 fiscal year, but it can go ahead and knock off the point-eight from the $91.8 billion in profits it reported. It has been ordered to pay nearly a billion dollars in damages for patent infringement.

The California Institute of Technology (CalTech) has been battling the tech giant along with chip supplier Broadcom since 2016 over Apple’s use of WiFi chips that it alleged were based on its designs. The school claimed that since 2012 iPhones have been using wireless technology that it developed in violation of four of its patents.

On Wednesday, a jury concluded that both companies had infringed on CalTech’s intellectual property. The $1.1 billion verdict has Apple paying the school the lion’s share of the damages at $837.8 million, which is nearly one percent of its Q1 2020 earnings. Broadcom was ordered to pick up the remaining $270.2 million in restitution. Shares for both companies dipped after the judgement was announced yesterday afternoon.

“We are pleased the jury found that Apple and Broadcom infringed Caltech patents,” the school said in a statement. “As a non-profit institution of higher education, Caltech is committed to protecting its intellectual property in furtherance of its mission to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education.”

Reuters notes that Apple unsurprisingly plans to appeal the decision. Its defense has been that it is an “indirect downstream party.” It holds that it only purchased chips from Broadcom and had no part in their design. Therefore, it should not be responsible for the damages, let alone the majority share.

Broadcom also intends to appeal.

“While we thank the members of the jury for their service, we disagree with the factual and legal bases for the verdict and intend to appeal,” the chipmaker said in a statement.

Masthead credit: Ascannio via Shutterstock

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https://www.techspot.com/news/83791-caltech-awarded-11-billion-patent-infringement-case-against.html

 

[Lionvibez]

Lol apple made 91.8 billion give the school 800 million you can afford it.

A small price to pay and will go to a school that with spend it on their students.

 

[psycros]

Lol apple made 91.8 billion give the school 800 million you can afford it.

A small price to pay and will go to a school that with spend it on their students.

“We are pleased the jury found that Apple and Broadcom infringed Caltech patents,” the school said in a statement. “As a non-profit institution of higher education, Caltech is committed to protecting its intellectual property in furtherance of its mission to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education.”

If its a non-profit then why is it chasing money this way? Oh, right, because schools sell the work of their students and employees ALL THE TIME. A big college calling itself a non-profit..hilarious.

 

[Lew Zealand]

“We are pleased the jury found that Apple and Broadcom infringed Caltech patents,” the school said in a statement. “As a non-profit institution of higher education, Caltech is committed to protecting its intellectual property in furtherance of its mission to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education.”

If its a non-profit then why is it chasing money this way? Oh, right, because schools sell the work of their students and employees ALL THE TIME. A big college calling itself a non-profit..hilarious.

So instead they should just patent nothing and give all their intellectual achievements away? If they are for profit in your view, where do these profits go? What investors see the money? What is that "profit" wasted on?

 

[CharmsD]

So instead they should just patent nothing and give all their intellectual achievements away? If they are for profit in your view, where do these profits go? What investors see the money? What is that "profit" wasted on?

Caltech does license/sell technology through their Office of Technology Transfer & Corporate Partnerships. Caltech has an endowment ~$3 billion, the university was incorporated as a non-profit, and it's governed by a privately appointed board of trustees. So whatever it does with the winnings from this lawsuit will ultimately be;
"an insiders operation".

Weaseling Apple Core, Inc.[tm] has appealed the penalty using their childish blame-shifting device of "we didn't steal it we were simply beneficiary of the "other guys" thievery", a transparent, obvious and insipid defense technique often used by Apple. In the acid greenback-tinged light emanating from Megalomania Monster Dollar Club Apple, Caltech has faint hope of getting a check for the larger part of a billion.

In fact, during a recent halo-conference with Obi-Wan Trichinosis, the master was heard saying "Caltech have no hope", as his six inch figure stood there tracing a light-saber in an exaggerated zero shape. Like this "0". Obi-Wan's shimmering shape was dashing, as it is his habit to wear a flowing white silk robe with gold braid trimming the neckline, to be dashing.

But where would the money go "if they got it"..?

iontkno... this subject is still open for examination and interpretative creation.

So. What's up dat billion Caltech, wanna go to the moon?

 

[Robertrogue]

I like how they call themselves a "non-profit" institution....that is funny. I don't disagree that Apple should pay for the theft of Cal's intellectual property, I do disagree with colleges using the students and taxpayer funding in the research and development of tech that the school profits from and doesn't repay the taxpayers or the students. That is what I call a true thief.

 

[captaincranky]

IMHO, Apple should pay the money provisionally, in that it be distributed in the form of "scholarships", in furtherance of lowering students tuition.

Of course Cal Tech will then raise the tuition for the next semester, but hey, it's a start.