Apple patent lawsuit

Cerence AI Sues Apple Over Patent Infringement Claims

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Cerence AI has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of using its innovations without permission. The case was submitted on September 4, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, a frequent venue for intellectual property disputes.


Cerence’s Allegations
Cerence alleges that Apple misused its patented technologies. These patents focus on text input and recognition and voice command monitoring. The company claims Apple embedded these technologies in the iPhone and iPad without securing a license.
The dispute traces back to 2021 when Cerence approached Apple with an acquisition proposal. At that time, it presented detailed patent documentation and claim charts showing potential infringement. However, no agreement was reached.


Official Statement
Jennifer Salinas, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Cerence, stressed the importance of protecting innovation. She said the lawsuit aims to defend years of research and development. The company is seeking both damages and licensing fees.


Apple’s Response
Apple has yet to issue a detailed statement. Historically, the company has defended itself vigorously in patent cases. Analysts expect this lawsuit may become a drawn-out legal battle.
Industry Impact
Cerence is a leading player in automotive AI, powering voice assistants in over 525 million vehicles worldwide. The lawsuit underlines the growing conflicts between smaller innovators and global tech leaders over patented technologies.
Apple, already familiar with patent disputes, faces renewed scrutiny as courts decide whether its use of Cerence’s inventions violated intellectual property laws.
What’s Next?
The outcome of this case could force Apple to pay licensing fees or modify features in its products. For Cerence, a favorable ruling would strengthen its position as a pioneer in AI-driven communication technologies.

Apple Ordered to Pay $110.7M for Patent Infringement

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Apple Inc. has been ordered to pay $110.7 million in damages after a U.S. federal jury found the tech giant guilty of infringing a wireless communication patent owned by Spanish technology firm TOT Power Control, S.L. The case centered around a key 3G patent used in Apple’s iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.

The jury in Delaware federal court determined that Apple had violated U.S. Patent No. 7,532,865, which relates to outer loop power control technology, crucial for improving efficiency in mobile device communication networks. It helps to manage signal strength between a mobile device and network base stations.

What the Verdict Means

The decision follows a lengthy trial in which TOT Power Control alleged that Apple used its patented technology without proper licensing agreements. The awarded amount reflects a running royalty of approximately $0.25 per device that uses the infringing technology, covering a vast range of Apple products operating with 3G capability.

TOT Power Control is a Spain-based intellectual property firm established by inventor and engineer Álvaro López-Medrano. The company focuses on essential wireless communication technologies and has been actively defending its IP rights globally.

Apple responded to the verdict with disappointment, stating it will pursue an appeal. The company has a long history of defending itself in patent infringement suits, particularly around standard-essential patents (SEPs)—those considered fundamental to wireless communication standards like 3G, 4G, and 5G.

Pattern of Patent Disputes for Apple

This ruling adds to a string of legal challenges Apple is currently facing related to SEPs:

In May 2025, a UK court ordered Apple to pay £402 million (approximately $502 million) to Optis Cellular Technology in a separate 4G patent dispute.

In another U.S. case involving Optis, Apple had a $300 million jury verdict overturned after a federal appeals court ruled there were errors in jury instructions.

These cases reflect ongoing tensions between major tech companies and patent holders over FRAND terms—agreements that require essential patent licensing to be fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory.

Legal and Industry Implications

The ruling reinforces the importance of upholding SEP licensing terms, especially as global tech firms continue to leverage wireless standards in their devices. Analysts suggest the outcome could embolden more patent holders to litigate, particularly in the U.S., where damages can scale significantly.

While $110 million is a modest sum for Apple—whose annual revenues exceed $380 billion—it underscores the financial risks associated with failing to secure or honor licensing deals for standard wireless technologies.

The case also highlights the growing assertiveness of non-U.S. companies, like TOT Power Control, in pursuing patent enforcement across international jurisdictions.

This article is based on publicly available news sources and legal filings related to the Apple vs TOT Power Control patent case. All facts have been verified as of the time of publication. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.