U.S. Jury Clears Apple of Infringing Wireless Patents from Canadian Firm

Apple has won in court tonight down in Tyler, Texas, a hotbed for patent infringement cases in the United States.

According to Reuters, Ottawa-based Conversant’s subsidiary, Core Wireless Licensing, sought $100 million in damages from Apple alleging the latter had infringed on five wireless patents used in iPhones and iPads.

The jury tonight sided with Apple after a five-hour long deliberation:

The jury deliberated for about five hours before delivering its verdict on Monday night. The company, whose patents were originally held by Nokia Corp, was seeking $100 million in damages at trial. It said it was entitled to a portion of Apple’s device sales, and of similar, future devices. Apple pegged damages, if any, at less than $1 million.

Apple argued Core Wireless was obligated to license its patents, deemed essential to the industry on “fair and non-discriminatory” terms; the jury rejected Apple’s claim.

Core Wireless originally alleged Apple has infringed on over a dozen patents, but last year numerous patents were removed to fastback the case.

Conversant

Here’s how Conversant describes their services on their website:

We’re in the business of making innovation more rewarding. Through our IP management services, sophisticated partnership models and innovative programs, we help our global partners realize the full value from their IP assets. We do this by employing experts well-versed in the art and science of technology patents, by skillfully identifying the most valuable patents in IP portfolios, and by clearly documenting proof of infringement. Above all, we always engage and negotiate respectfully with potential licensees.

Apple remains the most targeted company by what some dub ‘patent trolls’, which file lawsuits against companies for infringing on patents instead of making actual products.

Last month, in the same Tyler courthouse, a jury ordered Apple to pay $533 million to Smartflash, after the latter alleged iTunes had infringed on three of its patents.

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