Apple facing up to $862m in damages for patent infringement

Apple could be facing fines of up to $862m after the technology giant lost a patent lawsuit.

A US jury found on Tuesday that Apple used technology owned by the University of Wisconsin in some iPhones and iPads without permission.

A jury in Wisconsin said the patent, which was filed in 1998 and improves the power efficiency of microchips, was valid.

The university claimed Apple ignored its offers to license the patent, which would have meant paying a fee for its use.

As a result, it said Apple was wilfully infringing the patent. Although it’s not yet known exactly how much Apple will have to fork out, it could be liable for as much as $862m in damages.

The University of Wisconsin sued Intel over the same patent in 2008 and the case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.