Koss sued Apple for alleged infringement of some patents related to wireless connection technologies between smartphones and headphones or speakers.
Koss claims that Apple has infringed its patents related to wireless headphones and speaker connections, which the Cupertino-based company would have used in nearly all the current range of products available on the market. Unlike many of the patent cases that Apple is facing, Koss is not a patent-troll, but an important company that produces headphones, earphones, and other audio accessories.
Koss Versus Apple by Mike Wuerthele on Scribd
The patents in question describe wireless headsets that integrate a transceiver circuit, allowing the device to transmit audio from a digital player, a computer, or a wireless network. Koss claims that by selling AirPods, AirPods Pro and Beats wireless products, Apple has irreparably damaged Koss by infringing four patents.
The complaint also suggests that Apple became aware of the various infringements in 2019, but voluntarily ignored them and continues to do so after Koss has sent the necessary communications.
The patents do not describe in detail any specific connectivity method. Rather, they cover the general concept of wireless headphones and speakers in the vaguest and broadway possible. Koss does not specify any detailed network or connectivity methods but claims that any method Apple uses violates its patents.
The patents in question were granted to Koss in 2019, while Apple launched the first AirPods in 2016. The road to Koss’s victory is already very difficult. In any case, the plaintiff requests the payment of damages and compensation three times higher than that eventually detected by the jury.
