Microsoft settles Cortana patent case after $242 mln trial loss

Quarterhill

20/06/2024 19:58

By Blake Brittain
       June 20 (Reuters) - Microsoft  MSFT.O  has settled a
patent infringement lawsuit over its Cortana virtual-assistant
technology after losing a $242 million jury verdict in the case
last month, according to a filing in Delaware federal court.
    Microsoft and plaintiff IPA Technologies told the court on
Tuesday that they have resolved the case. U.S. District Judge
Richard Andrews dismissed the lawsuit on Thursday.
    IPA is a subsidiary of patent-licensing company Wi-LAN,
which is jointly owned by Canadian technology company
Quarterhill  QTRH.TO  and two investment firms. 
    Microsoft declined to comment. Attorneys and spokespeople
for IPA and Wi-LAN did not immediately respond to requests for
comment and more details about the settlement.
    IPA filed the lawsuit in 2018, accusing Microsoft of
infringing patents related to personal digital assistants and
voice-based data navigation. It bought the patents from SRI
International's Siri Inc, which Apple acquired in 2010 and whose
technology is used in Apple's Siri virtual assistant.
    A Delaware jury determined on May 10 that Microsoft owed
$242 million for infringing an IPA patent. A Microsoft
spokesperson said at the time that the company would appeal the
verdict.
    IPA has also sued Google and Amazon over its patents. Amazon
defeated IPA's lawsuit in 2021. Google has denied IPA's claims,
and that case is still ongoing.
    
    The case is IPA Technologies Inc v. Microsoft Corp, U.S.
District Court for the District of Delaware, No. 1:18-cv-00001.
    For IPA: Paul Skiermont, Jaime Olin, Steven Hartsell, Kevin
Potere and Mieke Malmberg of Skiermont Derby
    For Microsoft: Joseph Micallef, Nathaniel Love and Mike
Bettinger of Sidley Austin; Scott Border of Winston & Strawn;
Richard Cederoth
    
    Read more:
    Microsoft hit with $242 million US verdict in Cortana patent
lawsuit

 (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington)
 ((blake.brittain@tr.com; +1 (202) 938-5713;))