Apple loses processor patent suit against University of Wisconsin

The jury returned its verdict Monday following a liability trial that began October 5 and will now move on to the damages phase.

The lawsuit was filed early past year and accused Apple of using a processor technology developed by university researchers in Apple’s A7 chip, which was used in its newest products at the time, including the iPhone 5S and iPad Air.

A Wisconsin jury today found Apple guilty of infringing on the patent owned by WARF, reports Reuters, and as a result, the Cupertino-based company could be forced to pay up to $862 million in damages. A separate suit was launched in September that covers the A9 processor used in iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. It asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to review the validity of the patent, but its request was denied.

The jury in Madison, Wisconsin, also said the patent, which improves processor efficiency, was valid. Should Apple be found to have willfully infringed, the damages it owes could increase.

WARF is a nonprofit organization representing both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Morgridge Institute for Research, a nonprofit research institute affiliated with the University.

Action 2 News also contacted Apple and lead counsel for both Apple and WARF, but they were unavailable for comment. The chip maker settled that case before it came to trial by paying WARF a lump sum of $110 million to license the patent, according to a judge’s order filed in the Apple case.