04-12-2018 , 08:58 PM
http://news.softpedia.com/news/korean-co...pd_related Korean Company Says Apple Stole Its Tech to Build iPhone’s Touch ID
A lawsuit will be filed, company founders say
Apr 12, 2018 11:08 GMT · By Bogdan Popa · Share:
As if Apple’s legal trouble following the deliberate iPhone slowdown wasn’t enough, the company is now likely to be sued by a Korean firm for stealing their tech in order to build the iPhone Touch ID fingerprint authentication system.
Firstface, a Korean mobile company, says it is the actual inventor of the fingerprint sensor that unlocks a smartphone and gets you to the home screen. Apple used it without their consent, the firm’s founders say, despite them trying to negotiate with the company.
A report from The Korea Herald reveals that Firstface registered the patent covering the technology in 2011 in the United States, Korea, Japan, and several other large markets, while Apple first used it on the iPhone 5s launched in 2013.
Apple refused a deal
Shim Young-tack, one of the Firstface co-CEOs, explained that they attempt to reach out to Apple to discuss a licensing deal, but Cupertino “rejected the offer.” As a result, they are now ready to sue Apple and ask for financial compensation because the company used their tech without authorization.
“The solution that activates the smartphone screen upon authenticating a user’s fingerprint was something unprecedented before Jung’s invention,” Young-tack was quoted as saying.
In the meantime, Apple has already replaced Touch ID with Face ID facial recognition system on the iPhone X in late 2017, and the company plans to abandon the tech completely with the release of this year’s iPhone generation.
Apple is expected to launch three new iPhone models in 2018, all of them featuring Face ID instead of fingerprint sensors. Apple says Face ID is substantially more secure than Touch ID, while also generating other benefits, such as helping the company offering increased screen space as well as edge-to-edge displays thanks to the removal of the home button.
Apple hasn’t commented on these claims of alleged patent violation, but it’ll most likely go to court once a lawsuit is filed.
A lawsuit will be filed, company founders say
Apr 12, 2018 11:08 GMT · By Bogdan Popa · Share:
As if Apple’s legal trouble following the deliberate iPhone slowdown wasn’t enough, the company is now likely to be sued by a Korean firm for stealing their tech in order to build the iPhone Touch ID fingerprint authentication system.
Firstface, a Korean mobile company, says it is the actual inventor of the fingerprint sensor that unlocks a smartphone and gets you to the home screen. Apple used it without their consent, the firm’s founders say, despite them trying to negotiate with the company.
A report from The Korea Herald reveals that Firstface registered the patent covering the technology in 2011 in the United States, Korea, Japan, and several other large markets, while Apple first used it on the iPhone 5s launched in 2013.
Apple refused a deal
Shim Young-tack, one of the Firstface co-CEOs, explained that they attempt to reach out to Apple to discuss a licensing deal, but Cupertino “rejected the offer.” As a result, they are now ready to sue Apple and ask for financial compensation because the company used their tech without authorization.
“The solution that activates the smartphone screen upon authenticating a user’s fingerprint was something unprecedented before Jung’s invention,” Young-tack was quoted as saying.
In the meantime, Apple has already replaced Touch ID with Face ID facial recognition system on the iPhone X in late 2017, and the company plans to abandon the tech completely with the release of this year’s iPhone generation.
Apple is expected to launch three new iPhone models in 2018, all of them featuring Face ID instead of fingerprint sensors. Apple says Face ID is substantially more secure than Touch ID, while also generating other benefits, such as helping the company offering increased screen space as well as edge-to-edge displays thanks to the removal of the home button.
Apple hasn’t commented on these claims of alleged patent violation, but it’ll most likely go to court once a lawsuit is filed.