Tiny startup Corephotonics says Apple laughed off its dual camera patents, sues for infringement

Fast forward to today, and you know which phones have such a technology? Well, pin them from Apple all the way to Xiaomi's new Mi 6. Apple, however, was the company that first introduced such a zooming phone, the iPhone 7 Plus, and at the time we thought that it has worked with Corephotonics on its development, as the Israelis hinted they have lined up a few big customers, and Samsung even invested in the startup, but came up with the dual camera Note 8 much later in the game.

Well, now Corephotonics is suing Apple for infringing on their dual camera and zoom patents with the iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus, and says that Apple's lead negotiator even mocked the viability of their patents during their potential partnership talks. "Apple’s lead negotiator expressed contempt for Corephotonics’ patents, telling Dr. Mendlovic and others that even if Apple infringed, it would take years and millions of dollars in litigation before Apple might have to pay something," says the filing. 

While that is certainly true, and Apple has plenty of patents of its own that describe dual camera features in all forms and versions, the Israeli startup's tech seems to be preceding those. Still, we don't know what conditions has Corephotonics set for the use of their camera tech, as we all know that in business negotiations the price haggles can get nasty for all sides involved, and it might be a case of sour grapes for the Israelis. Given Apple's size, though, it might have been perfectly aware that it can develop the idea on its own, without having to shell out for the Corephotonics intellectual property. Where does that leave the iPhone X, which also uses its two cameras for similar shenanigans? Well, it remains to be seen whether Corephotonics will include it in the lawsuit at a later stage, but the Israelis have hired the same lawfirm that represented Samsung in its patent fights with Apple, so it has a battle-hardened legal team on its side to take on the team from Cupertino.

source: Reuters