Tel Aviv University accuses Snap Inc of patent infringement

A subsidiary of Tel Aviv University, in Israel, has accused Snap Inc, formerly known as Snapchat, of patent infringement.

Ramot, the university’s business engagement centre and technology transfer company, filed the lawsuit on Wednesday, November 2 at the US District Court for the District of Delaware.

In the suit, Ramot alleged that Snap Inc has infringed US patent number T8,718,333, which is directed to “methods and systems for improving and retargeting a digital image”, by selling products and services that use the teachings, inventions and technology of the patent.

It explained that the infringing products include the Snapchat app for iOS and Android devices, and the lenses feature (the special effects feature in the app).

“As a result of Snap’s unlawful infringement of the ‘333 patent, Ramot has suffered and will continue to suffer damage. Ramot is entitled to recover from Snap the damages adequate to compensate for such infringement, which have yet to be determined,” said the suit.

Snap Inc is also alleged to have indirectly infringed the patent by “actively encouraging” its customers to use its products.

Ramot is seeking compensatory damages, a declaration that this is an exceptional case, a jury trial, costs and expenses, and attorneys’ fees.

In October, WIPR  reported that US social networking company Snap Interactive filed a trademark infringement suit against Snap, alleging “blatant trade name and trademark infringement” and unfair competition.

Snap announced on September 24 that it had changed the name of its company from Snapchat.