In a legal blow to tech giant Microsoft, a federal jury in Delaware has ruled that the company must pay $242 million in damages to patent owner IPA Technologies. The verdict, delivered on Friday, concludes a week-long trial where it was determined that Microsoft’s Cortana virtual-assistant software infringed on an IPA patent.
The jury sided with IPA Technologies, affirming that Microsoft’s voice-recognition technology violated IPA’s patent rights in computer-communications software. IPA, a subsidiary of patent-licensing company Wi-LAN, acquired the patent in question from SRI International’s Siri Inc., which Apple incorporated into its Siri virtual assistant after acquiring the company in 2010.
A Microsoft spokesperson expressed confidence in their position, stating, “We remain confident that Microsoft never infringed on IPA’s patents and will appeal.” However, representatives for IPA and Wi-LAN have not yet commented on the verdict.
The lawsuit dates back to 2018 when IPA accused Microsoft of infringing patents related to personal digital assistants and voice-based data navigation. While the case initially encompassed multiple patents, it was eventually narrowed down to focus on one IPA patent. Microsoft contested the infringement allegations, arguing that it did not violate the patent and questioning its validity.
IPA Technologies has a history of legal battles over its patents, having also pursued lawsuits against tech giants Google and Amazon. In 2021, Amazon successfully defended itself against IPA’s claims, while the case against Google is still ongoing.
This verdict not only represents a significant financial setback for Microsoft but also underscores the complexities and disputes surrounding intellectual property rights in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital technologies. As Microsoft gears up for an appeal, the outcome of this legal saga will continue to be closely monitored within the tech industry.