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28 July 2014Patents

Bose sounds off on Beats’ alleged patent infringement

Sound system and speaker maker Bose has accused rival Beats Electronics of infringing patents covering its noise cancelling headphones.

In the case filed last Friday (July 25) at the US District Court for the District of Delaware, Bose said that Beats’ Studio range of headphones infringes five patents that protect Bose technologies.

It has also filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission.

Bose’s active noise reduction technology reduces unwanted noise by introducing a second sound source that interferes with the unwanted noise. Bose said that its latest noise cancelling headphones model, QC20, is protected by at least 27 US patents and applications.

Bose’s QC20 headphones retail for about £260 ($440). Beats’ Studio headphones, which use “adaptive noise cancellation” technology, sell for about the same amount.

In the complaint, Bose said that the accused products, Beats’ Studio and Studio Wireless headphones, are designed to use the infringing noise cancelling functionality when operated by an end user. It accuses Beats of knowing or being wilfully blind to the fact that its products are especially made or adapted for a use that infringes Bose patents.

It has asked for a declaration that its patents have been infringed, an injunction stopping Beats from infringing the patents, and for an undisclosed amount of damages.

Beats was founded by record producer Dr. Dre and music executive Jimmy Iovine in 2006. Earlier this year, Apple announced that it would acquire the company for $3 billion.

When contacted by WIPR, Bose said that it did not comment on ongoing litigation.

Beats did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Patents
29 August 2014   The US International Trade Commission has announced it will launch an investigation into “certain noise cancelling headphones and components thereof”, just one month after Bose, a speaker maker, sued rival headphone company Beats Electronics for patent infringement.