Apple must pay Optis $502M in UK patent dispute

Apple must pay a US patent holder $502 million for the use of 4G patents in devices including iPhones and iPads, London's Court of Appeal has ruled.

Texas-based Optis Cellular Technology LLC sued Apple in London in 2019 over its use of patents which Optis says are essential to certain technological standards, such as 4G.

London's High Court ruled in 2023 that Apple should pay Optis a total of $56.43 million plus interest to cover past and future sales over a set period.

But Optis argued that was far too low and challenged the decision at an appeal heard in February and March.

The Court of Appeal said in a partially-redacted written ruling that Apple should pay a lump sum of $502 million, not including interest, for the period from 2013 to 2027.

The lump sum relates to a global licence to use Optis' patents.

An Apple spokesperson said they were "disappointed by this decision and plan to appeal".

"Optis makes no products and their sole business is to sue companies using patents they buy," the spokesperson added. "We will continue to defend against their attempts to extract unreasonable payments."

An Optis spokesperson welcomed the ruling, which they said "corrected a clearly flawed prior ruling and has made meaningful progress toward affirming the true value of our patents to Apple devices."

"We will continue to ensure fair compensation for the Optis intellectual property that enables high-speed connectivity for millions of devices around the world," the spokesperson added.

Thursday's ruling is the latest decision in the legal battle between Apple and Optis over the FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms to use Optis' patents.