The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is accusing Apple of allegedly infringing a patent that covers technology the company has used in the A7 64-bit mobile chip that’s found in many 2013 iOS devices including the iPhone 5s, the iPad Air and the Retina iPad mini. A lawsuit against Apple was filed in the Wisconsin Western District Court, Madison Office, Patently Apple reports.
The patent in question – U.S. Patent No. 5,781,782: “Table Based Data Speculation Circuit for Parallel Processing Computer – was awarded to WARF in mid-July 1998, and its inventors are “leading researchers in the field of computer microprocessor architecture,” the publication writes, adding that “their work at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, particularly the work for which they were awarded the patent-in-suit, has significantly improved the efficiency and performance of contemporary computer processors”
WARF apparently believes that “Apple has incorporated the technology of WARF’s ‘752 patent into the A7 processor to achieve enhanced efficiency and performance.” Interestingly, the iPhone maker has apparently filed one or more patent applications that cite the patent as “relevant prior art.”
At the same time, the company has apparently stated that it’s in its policy not to “accept or consider proposals regarding licensing from outside entities like WARF for any purpose,” which explains why WARF went directly to courts with the matter.
According to Patently Apple, WARF believes that Apple’s “acts of infringement by Defendant have been, and continue to be, willful, intentional, and in conscious disregard to WARF’s rights in the ‘752 patent.” Thus, WARF is asking the court to triple damages in case Apple will be found guilty of patent infringement.
