Apple sued over AI technology in AirTags
Texas-based company claims Apple infringed artificial intelligence patent | Dispute concerns tracking device that connects with products including the iPhone and iPad.
Apple has been hit with a lawsuit in Texas alleging that its AirTags, which connect to devices such as iPhones, iPads and Mac computers, infringe an artificial intelligence patent.
MuTag Tracking filed the complaint at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on Wednesday, July 26, alleging that Apple had infringed its patent, US number 10,154,379 that covers an invention entitled Artificial Intelligence for Loss Prevention Tags.
Apple’s AirTags can be attached to items of value such as keys or a backpack, and then used as a tracking device if the item is lost. The AirTag emits a Bluetooth signal which can be detected by nearby devices in the Find My network, which includes iPhones, iPads and Macs computers.
These products “have features that are specially designed to be used in an infringing way and that have no substantial uses other than ones that infringe the ‘379 patent”, claims MuTag.
‘Wilful infringement’
Through the sale, import and distribution of its products, Apple infringed claims 1-17 of the ‘379 patent, alleges MuTag, which also holds that the tech giant also indirectly infringed the patent by inducing others to infringe it.
The company, which has a principal place of business in Tyler, Texas, calls Apple’s actions “at least objectively reckless as to the risk of infringing a valid patent,” and describes its alleged infringement as “wilful, intentional, deliberate, and/or in conscious disregard of MuTag’s rights under the ‘379 patent”.
Mutag is asking for a reasonable royalty, plus interest and costs, as well as treble damages for the alleged period of wilful infringement, under 35 U.S.C. § 284.
Apple was aware of the ‘379 patent “at least as of the date when it was notified of the filing of this action”, Mutag says.
The firm also requests a permanent injunction preventing Apple from using its patented technology. The ‘379 patent was issued in December 2018.
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