Tera Xtel Sues Apple for Sapphire Camera Lens Patent Infringement

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Taiwanese sapphire manufacturer Tera Xtel Technology filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, Senao International and Vibao on October 9, alleging those three companies sold products incorporating Tera Xtel’s TW M438642 patent without Tera Xtel's consent. Tera Xtel is seeking compensation totaling NT $300 million (US $9.88 million) from Apple, Senao International and Vibao.

The patent approved by the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office involves an image-capturing apparatus that comprises a lens and sapphire lens device. The lens device includes a shell body, which the sapphire lens is directly joined to as a protective camera lens cover.

In the lawsuit filed, Tera Xtel is seeking NT $300 million in compensation at an annual interest rate of 5 percent starting from the date of the complaint’s submission. In addition, Tera Xtel has requested the court prevent defendants from manufacturing, selling, and importing products that fall within the patent scope.

Tera Xtel has not ruled out increasing the amount of compensation, but that will depend on the sales data presented by the defendants in court.