Apple loses appeal in patent dispute with Optis over 4G technology

Apple lost its appeal at the Court of Appeal in London regarding a patent dispute with Optis Cellular Technology LLC. Optis, a US company holding the patents, filed a lawsuit against Apple in 2019, claiming that Apple had violated two telecommunications patents related to 4G technology used in iPhones and iPads. On Tuesday, 4 July, the Court of Appeal in London upheld Optis’s claims and ruled that Apple infringed two telecommunications patents used in devices, including iPhones and iPads.

London’s High Court ruling in 2022 determined that Apple had indeed infringed Optis’ two standard essential patents for 4G. Apple contested this decision, arguing that the patents were not essential to 4G standards and that it had not infringed them. In May 2023, the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Optis, upholding their appeal against a prior decision that revoked two additional 4G-related patents. This came after an October ruling where Optis was granted the right to seek an injunction against Apple to prevent patent infringement until the court determines the fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms of use.