TracBeam sues Apple over patent infringement

TracBeam sues Apple over patent infringement

A Colorado based company called TracBeam has sued Apple over its use of location based services. Evidence suggests that TracBeam is a patent troll, existing solely to buy patents and sue infringing companies.

A Colorado based company called TracBeam has sued Apple over its use of location based services in iOS and OS X. These services can be found in Apple’s Safari, Siri, and so on.

TracBeam is a company that has been awarded a number of patents that are related to wireless location technology used in both consumer and business related technology.

TracBeam has filed four Counts against Apple, saying that the tech giant has infringed on TracBeam’s patents in all of them, and will continue to do so. The patents involve location services in iOS and OS X, as well as Apple’s “Find My Phone” service which allows users to track their lost device.

Despite the allegations against Apple, some are accusing TracBeam of being a “patent troll,” or a Patent Assertion Entity, which is essentially a name given to firms that exist only to purchase patents and then sure infringing companies. A study in 2011 revealed that patent trolls cost tech companies $29 billion. Another study conducted in 2013 showed that Apple was the most targeted company by patent trolls.

At the end of 2013, the House of Representatives passed the “Innovation Act,” which was aimed at discouraging useless lawsuits filed by patent holders, and was backed by a number of large tech companies.

Evidence suggests that TracBeam is a patent troll, especially considering the fact that the company has also filed lawsuits against Google, AT&T, T-Mobile and a number of other companies.

The lawsuit is taking place in the Texas Eastern District Court, and no judge has been assigned to the case yet.

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