Apple Inc. (AAPL) Sued Over A7 Processor Used in iPhone, iPad

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The University of Wisconsin has filed suit against Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), alleging that the A7 processor which is inside of the latest models of the iPhone and iPad infringes one of its patents. Shane Cole of Apple Insider reports that he Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), which is the university’s patent licensing arm, actually filed the lawsuit.

WARF sues Apple

The patent in question is one for improving “the efficiency and performance of contemporary computer processors,” also known as U.S. Patent Number 5,781,752. It is entitled “Table Based Data Speculation Circuit for Parallel Processing Computer.” According to the lawsuit, a group of computer scientists invented the technology while they were at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Gurindar Sohi, who headed up the research team that came up with the technology, received the Eckert-Mauchly Award for it. According to the complaint, that is the “most prestigious award” in the “computer architecture” community. Also Sohi was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his work, and the Association for Computing Machinery also awarded Andreas Moshovos, another member of the research team, the Maurice Wilkes award for his work on the patent.

WARF wants triple the damages against Apple

The university seeks to “prevent Apple’s unauthorized use” of the patent in question. In addition, it states that since the patent was issued, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) “has filed one or more patent applications” which cite their patent as “relevant prior art.” The organization also basically said that it had to file the lawsuit because Apple said it is its policy “not to accept or consider proposals regarding licensing from outside entities.”

According to Patently Apple, the university also seeks triple the damages against Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) because it believes Apple’s infringement “have been, and continue to be, willful, intentional, and in conscious disregard of WARF’s rights.”

Apple’s A7 chip used in iPhone 5S, iPad Air

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) used the A7 chip in its iPhone 5S, iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina display. Analysts have praised that chip, which is the first 64-bit chip to be used in a smartphone. Evercore analysts called it “a big deal” back in September when the chip was shown off inside the iPhone 5S. The A7 chip has also received rave reviews for making Apple products faster and more efficient without adding bulk to the size of the devices

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