Apple is usually the aggressor when it comes to suing companies for infringement of patents and technologies, but this time it is the other way round. Apple is the defendant in a case against them for intentionally and willfully infringing patents.
The case has been filed by Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation(WARF) on the behalf of University of Wisconsin. According to the case, Apple has violated its own patent no. 5,781,752, referring to a “table based data speculation circuit for parallel processing computer”. The description of the patent is as follows –
“a predictor circuit permits advanced execution of instructions depending for their data on previous instructions by predicting such dependencies based on previous mis-speculations detected at the final stages of processing. Synchronization of dependent instructions is provided by a table creating entries for each instance of potential dependency. Table entries are created and deleted dynamically to limit total memory requirements“.
WARF has put forth claims that Apple has used its technology in achieving greater efficiency and performance in their new Apple A7 chip. The Apple A7 chip is the first 64-bit processor for handheld devices and is currently used by Apple across the range of its devices – iPhone 5s, iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina display. WARF has requested the court to stop Apple from using their technology and to fine them.