Sound innovation company founded by George Lucas, THX, filed a complaint against Apple claiming that various models of Apple iPhone, iPad, and iMac technology infringe on a single speaker patent for a "narrow profile speaker configuration and systems."
Patent Background: Broadly the patent granted in 2008 describes the method of effectively enhancing the sound of quality in compact speaker arrangements found in consumer electronics.
THX is demanding royalties and damages to make up for lost profit due to the monetary damages and irreparable harm caused by Apple's Violation. In Apple's defense, it owns a variety of speaker-central patents, the most recent of which includes a "low-profile speaker arrangements for compact electronic devices", which could substantially share some claims with the THX patent in suit.
Considering how closely related both patents seem, the battle may just come down to patent validity. As cited by Mikey Campbell in Apple Insider, "As devices become increasingly thin, the number of methods in which speakers can be effectively implemented within a given chassis is greatly reduced." So what remains is the turtle-hare race: who can get to it first?
Patent Background: Broadly the patent granted in 2008 describes the method of effectively enhancing the sound of quality in compact speaker arrangements found in consumer electronics.
THX is demanding royalties and damages to make up for lost profit due to the monetary damages and irreparable harm caused by Apple's Violation. In Apple's defense, it owns a variety of speaker-central patents, the most recent of which includes a "low-profile speaker arrangements for compact electronic devices", which could substantially share some claims with the THX patent in suit.
Considering how closely related both patents seem, the battle may just come down to patent validity. As cited by Mikey Campbell in Apple Insider, "As devices become increasingly thin, the number of methods in which speakers can be effectively implemented within a given chassis is greatly reduced." So what remains is the turtle-hare race: who can get to it first?
I suspect that THX will be able to garner some sort of settlement, if not a royalty, from Apple. Nokia had a similar position within the mobile market--it once had an incredibly dominant market position and pioneered many phone technologies and successfully obtained settlements from companies such as Apple. THX should be able to go around Silicon Valley and collect royalties.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting especially because they are so similar and Apple probably did not mean to copy the innovation of THX. However, it makes sense that THX is asking for royalties, especially if there is legitimate infringement.
ReplyDeleteTHX should be compensated, but it is interesting that a lot of these lawsuits are taken to court even when there is clear patent infringement. Apple's technology falls within the category of low-profile speaker arrangements for compact electronic devices, and violtes the claims within the patent.
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