Google hit with multiple patent lawsuit related to Pixel Fold
‘Pioneer’ in foldable smartphones accuses tech company of wilful patent infringement over foldable smartphone | Google accused of continuing infringing actions despite awareness.
Singapore-based Multifold International has sued Google, alleging that various Google products, including Pixel Fold, infringe its patents.
Multifold says that the tech giant’s alleged infringement is willful, emphasising that Google continued its actions despite prior awareness of the disputed patents.
The complaint, filed at the US District Court for the District of Delaware on Friday 17, cites a letter sent by Multifold to Google on June 8, 2023, explicitly identifying concerns related to infringement.
The alleged infringement includes a range of US patent numbers, including 8,836,842; 8,881,053; 9,134,756; 9,310,834; 8,854,834; 9,665,126; 8,842,080; 9,727,205; 9,058,153; 8,875,050; 9,792,007; 9,141,135; 8,832,577; 9,146,589; 9,158,494; and 9,195,335.
These patents cover various innovations related to foldable smartphones, ranging from user interface enhancements to specific device structures, with two patents specifically addressing the dual-screen folding display hinge.
Multifold highlights the critical role these patents play in enhancing the efficiency, versatility, and productivity of smartphones featuring multiple displays.
Smartphone dispute history
Flextronics International, now known as Flex, launched its Imerj project in 2009 to design the first foldable smartphone.
The device debuted in 2011 and the suit described it as “a pioneer in the foldable smartphone industry”.
Following this, Flex assigned its patents to Multifold.
Multifold alleges that Google infringed through its smartphone products including the Pixel Fold, and further accused Google of the development of new Pixel versions.
The complaint further accuses Google of possessing knowledge of the disputed patents and acknowledging their significance in the tech.
Multifold claims to have sent a letter to Google, prior to filing its suit, stating that Google’s foldable phone and smartphone products infringe the disputed patents.
In its letter, Multifold specifically identified Google’s Pixel Fold product as infringing.
The suit also states that during developing the technology, Google “routinely monitored” patents, patent applications, and non-patent literature related to Imerj’s foldable smartphone and the press associated with it.
The lawsuit seeks damages and injunctive relief to prevent further infringement by Google.
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