Tech Giant, Apple, is to pay $533 million for infringing three patents owned by Smartflash. This order was given after a federal jury in Texas determined that Apple willfully used Smartflash’s patents without permission.
Smartflash had asked for $852 million in damages.
According to Apple, “We refused to pay off this company for the ideas our employees spent years innovating and unfortunately we have been left with no choice but to take this fight up through the court system.”
Apple, which said it would appeal, said the outcome was another reason reform was needed in the patent system to curb litigation by companies that don’t make products themselves.
Smartflash sued Apple in May 2013, alleging its iTunes software infringed its patents related to accessing and storing downloaded songs, videos and games.
“Smartflash is very happy with the jury’s verdict, which recognizes Apple’s longstanding willful infringement,” Brad Caldwell, a lawyer for Smartflash, said in an email.
