In a significant legal development, a U.S. federal jury in Delaware has determined that Apple Inc. must pay over $110.7 million in damages to the Spanish company TOT Power Control. The jury concluded that Apple’s wireless chips, integral to devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, infringed upon TOT’s patent rights related to power-saving technology utilized in the 3G wireless standard.
Background of the Case
The origins of this legal battle trace back to 2021 when TOT Power Control filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the tech giant’s devices incorporated transceivers that utilized TOT’s patented technology without proper authorization. The patents in question, both issued in 2009 and titled Outer Loop Power Control Method and Device for Wireless Communications Systems, address methods to prevent interference between user equipment codes in uplink and downlink signals within 3G networks.
TOT Power Control, founded in 2011 by Spanish engineer Álvaro López-Medrano, specializes in developing technologies aimed at optimizing mobile networks and enhancing energy efficiency. The company contended that Apple’s use of their patented power management technology in its devices constituted a violation of their intellectual property rights.
Jury’s Verdict and Implications
After thorough deliberation, the jury found that Apple had indeed infringed upon one of TOT’s patents. Consequently, Apple has been ordered to compensate TOT Power Control with damages exceeding $110.7 million. This sum was calculated based on a running royalty model, amounting to $0.25 per infringing unit sold.
In response to the verdict, Apple has expressed its intention to appeal the decision, maintaining its stance that the patents in question are invalid. Conversely, TOT’s CEO, Álvaro López-Medrano, expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, stating that the verdict validates their intellectual property and underscores the importance of protecting technological innovations.
Broader Context and Industry Implications
This case is emblematic of the broader landscape of patent litigation within the technology sector, where companies frequently engage in legal disputes over the use of patented technologies. Notably, TOT Power Control has initiated similar lawsuits against other major mobile device manufacturers, including LG and Samsung, which are currently pending in the same Delaware court.
The outcome of this case may have significant implications for the industry, potentially influencing how companies approach the licensing and utilization of patented technologies. It also highlights the challenges that arise when integrating standard-essential technologies into consumer products, especially when such technologies are protected by patents held by third parties.
Apple’s Legal Challenges in Patent Disputes
Apple’s legal entanglements over patent infringements are not isolated to this case. The company has faced multiple lawsuits concerning the use of wireless communication technologies. For instance, in May 2025, a UK court ruled that Apple must pay $502 million to Optis Cellular Technology LLC for infringing on 4G technology patents used in iPhones and iPads. This judgment pertained to a global license fee for Apple’s use of Optis’ standard-essential patents from 2013 through 2027.
Additionally, in June 2025, Apple successfully appealed a $300 million verdict in a patent infringement case brought by Optis Wireless Technology. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found that the jury instructions in the earlier trial were flawed, leading to the overturning of the damages award and a mandate for a new trial covering both infringement and damages.
These cases underscore the complex and often contentious nature of patent litigation in the technology industry, where companies must navigate the delicate balance between innovation and the respect for intellectual property rights.
Conclusion
The recent jury verdict requiring Apple to pay over $110 million to TOT Power Control for patent infringement marks a significant development in the ongoing discourse surrounding intellectual property rights in the tech industry. As Apple prepares to appeal the decision, the case serves as a reminder of the critical importance of due diligence in the use of patented technologies and the potential financial and reputational repercussions of infringement.
