An entity called Jawbone Innovations LLC, which appears to have recently acquired a majority of Jawbone’s original intellectual property, filed lawsuits against Apple and Google this week in federal court in Waco, Texas.
The lawsuits allege that Apple and Google infringed on eight former Jawbone patents focused on noise-isolation algorithms originally developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Although bankrupt wearables company Jawbone has long since gone out of business in 2017. But its patents still stand, and Jawbone Innovations LLC is using them to sue tech giants over noise-cancelling technology in earphones, smartphones and smart home devices.
Jawbone was considered a leader in wearable technology. But the market lost to Fitbit.
A legal battle between the two companies left Jawbone badly damaged before the two companies ended their fight in 2017.
Jawbone ended up liquidating its assets, while Fitbit was bought by Google for $2.1 billion this year.
The lawsuit against Apple names the offending devices for all versions and models of the iPhone, iPad, AirPods Pro and HomePod products.
While the lawsuit against Google is similarly broad, all versions and models of Google smartphones are mentioned. Including tablets, laptops, earphones, smart home appliances and other Android devices.
Both lawsuits seek preliminary injunctions against the companies to prevent them from selling allegedly infringing products, and future commissions for using those patents.
As Bloomberg points out, it is unclear who or what is behind the lawsuits. But this isn’t the first time Jawbone Innovations LLC has made such claims. The same entity sued Samsung in June for similar violations.
In its lawsuit, the entity alleges that Samsung has infringed on two Jawbone patents related to microphone noise reduction.
The lawsuit focuses on two patents granted to Jawbone in 2011 and 2012. It alleges that a wide range of Samsung products infringe both patents.
