Apple Settles Court Case Against Koss, Regarding Wireless Headphone Patent

Apple has agreed to settle the court case brought before it by Koss Corp in regards to its AirPods wireless earbuds and Beats headphones. The settlement was agreed upon this past weekend as the two companies were originally expected to enter the courts this week.

Koss originally alleged that Apple infringed on patents regarding wireless headphones. As a result, the company issued a lawsuit. However, as reported by Reuters, both companies agreed on a settlement.

The Waco, Texas federal court was informed of this agreement prior to the two companies entering the court. U.S. District Judge Alan Albright has dismissed the case with prejudice. This was completed on the same day. As of now, the allegations are unable to be refilled.

Koss filed a lawsuit against Apple in 2020 and alleged the iPhone maker that it infringed on several patents regarding aspects of a wireless headphone system Koss claimed it developed in the early 2000s. Alongside Apple, Koss is also in the midst of court battles against Bose and Skullcandy. While Apple’s lawsuit reached a settlement, the other two are still pending.

It’s reported that Koss began filing lawsuits as it believes the headphone industry “caught up to Koss’s early 2000s vision.” This led to the company’s innovations to “become standardized, with whole listening ecosystems having been built around the techniques Koss conceived of over a decade ago.” Koss originally wished to gain royalties from Apple’s AirPods and Beats sales. Apple stood firm in saying it did not infringe on Koss’ patents. The company went so far as to countersue Koss, stating the complaint included classified information.

There’s no word on what the settlement entails. Though the filing states that Apple and Koss have settled “all matters in controversy between them.”