LS Cable & System, a prominent South Korean technology firm, has initiated legal action against Apple, alleging that
the tech giant has infringed on its wireless charging patents. The patent in question was registered in 2011, and LS
Cable & System claims that various Apple products, including the iPhone and AirPods, violate this patent. The
accusations come after Apple scrapped its AirPower wireless charging pad in 2017 due to overheating issues.Since
2019, LS Cable & System has issued multiple warnings to Apple regarding the alleged infringements, which the company
claims have been ignored. This perceived dismissal by Apple raises questions about whether the tech leader believes
it is above the law or simply feels it has legitimate defenses against potential litigation. The legal proceedings
may soon shed light on these uncertainties.
Interestingly, LS Cable & System had previously developed its own wireless charging modules before Apple integrated similar technology into its devices. The South Korean firm has also produced charging-related accessories for Apple's products in the past, suggesting that a mutually beneficial partnership could have existed had this legal conflict not arisen.As Apple expands its ventures into new areas such as smart home technology and robotics, industry observers may wonder if similar patent disputes will emerge in the future. Given that LS Cable & System is a significant player in the tech sector, it appears poised for a rigorous legal battle, but smaller companies often struggle against the legal resources of larger corporations.
Wireless charging has been a feature on iPhones since 2017. | Video credit — Apple
Interestingly, LS Cable & System had previously developed its own wireless charging modules before Apple integrated similar technology into its devices. The South Korean firm has also produced charging-related accessories for Apple's products in the past, suggesting that a mutually beneficial partnership could have existed had this legal conflict not arisen.As Apple expands its ventures into new areas such as smart home technology and robotics, industry observers may wonder if similar patent disputes will emerge in the future. Given that LS Cable & System is a significant player in the tech sector, it appears poised for a rigorous legal battle, but smaller companies often struggle against the legal resources of larger corporations.
