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Following a federal jury trial in Delaware, Microsoft has been directed to pay patent owner IPA Technologies a sum of $242 million after the jury found that Microsoft’s Cortana virtual assistant software violated an IPA patent.
The jury’s decision, reached after a week-long trial, affirmed IPA’s claim that Microsoft’s voice-recognition technology infringed upon IPA’s patent rights in computer communications software.
Background of IPA:
IPA Technologies is a subsidiary of Wi-LAN, a patent-licensing company jointly owned by Canadian technology firm Quarterhill and two investment firms.
IPA acquired the patent in question from SRI International’s Siri Inc., whose technology formed the basis of Apple’s Siri virtual assistant following its 2010 acquisition.
Microsoft’s Response:
Microsoft has expressed confidence in its position, asserting that it did not infringe on IPA’s patents, and intends to appeal the jury’s verdict.
A spokesperson for Microsoft conveyed the company’s determination to contest the decision.
IPA’s Lawsuit:
The lawsuit, initiated by IPA in 2018, alleged that Microsoft infringed upon personal digital assistants and voice-based data navigation patents. Despite Microsoft’s arguments to the contrary and patent invalidity claims, the case ultimately centered on a single IPA patent.
IPA Technologies has pursued similar litigation against other tech giants, including Google and Amazon, over patent infringement claims. While Amazon successfully defended against IPA’s lawsuit in 2021, the case against Google remains ongoing.
Future Implications:
The verdict underscores the importance of intellectual property protection in the tech industry and highlights ongoing legal disputes surrounding patent rights and infringement allegations.
Microsoft’s decision to appeal reflects the company’s commitment to defending its technology and intellectual property assets in the face of legal challenges.
