Optis Cellular Technology LLC & Ors v Apple Retail UK Ltd & Ors [2020] EWHC 2746 (Pat) (16 October 2020)

Optis Cellular Technology LLC & Ors v Apple Retail UK Ltd & Ors [2020] EWHC 2746 (Pat) (16 October 2020)

The patent is valid and essential to the relevant versions of the GSM/UMTS/LTE standards. The conversion step in the claims requires both comparability and formatting, as understood by the skilled person. The patent is not invalid for obviousness or insufficiency on the facts and evidence presented. Apple infringes if it implements the relevant standards.

Citation
[2020] EWHC 2746 (Pat)
Parties
Claimant: Optis Cellular Technology LLC; Claimant: Optis Wireless Technology LLC; Claimant: Unwired Planet International Ltd; Defendant: Apple Retail UK Ltd; Defendant: Apple Distribution International Ltd; Defendant: Apple Inc
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 October 2020
Procedural Posture
Patent Infringement and Validity Action / First Instance Trial (trial A)
Outcome
Patent held valid and essential; Apple found to infringe if implementing the standard.
Legal Topics
Patent Validity, Patent Essentiality, Obviousness, Insufficiency, Standards Essential Patents, Telecommunications Standards, Claim Construction
Intellectual Property Patents Patent Validity Patent Essentiality Obviousness Insufficiency Standards Essential Patents Telecommunications Standards +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Optis Cellular Technology LLC

Claimant

Optis Wireless Technology LLC

Claimant

Unwired Planet International Ltd

Claimant

Apple Retail UK Ltd

Defendant

Apple Distribution International Ltd

Defendant

Apple Inc

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Patent Infringement and Validity Action / First Instance Trial (trial A)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether EP (UK) 1 230 818 is valid
  2. 2 Whether the patent is essential to the GSM/UMTS/LTE standards
  3. 3 Whether the patent is infringed by Apple

Ratio Decidendi

The patent is valid and essential to the relevant versions of the GSM/UMTS/LTE standards. The conversion step in the claims requires both comparability and formatting, as understood by the skilled person. The patent is not invalid for obviousness or insufficiency on the facts and evidence presented. Apple infringes if it implements the relevant standards.

Court Disposition

Patent held valid and essential; Apple found to infringe if implementing the standard.

Orders

  • Declaration of validity and essentiality of EP (UK) 1 230 818
  • Costs and further directions to be determined