Caltech Wins Big in Court, Awarded $1.1 Billion

The California Institute of Technology was reportedly awarded $1.1 billion in damages by a federal jury Wednesday in a lawsuit against Apple and Broadcom alleging infringement of Institute patents related to Wi-Fi data transmission.

Law360 reported the jury ordered Apple to pay $837 million, and Broadcom $270 million, to Caltech.

In Pasadena, a Caltech spokesperson told Pasadena Now that “Caltech appreciates the jury’s thoughtful attention throughout the trial. We are pleased the jury found that Apple and Broadcom infringed Caltech patents.”

“As a non-profit institution of higher education, Caltech is committed to protecting its intellectual property in furtherance of its mission to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education,” the spokesperson said.

In the case, filed in 2016 in Los Angeles, Caltech alleged that Broadcom wi-fi chips used in Apple iPhones infringed Institute patents relating to data transmission technology, according to Reuters.

Apple reportedly argued that it should not be sued because it was simply using off-the-shelf Wi-Fi chips it bought from Broadcom.

Apple said it plans to appeal the verdict. Broadcom did not immediately comment, according to media reports.