Apple, Koss Reach Deal in AirPods Patent Case on Eve of Trial

Apple Inc. dodged a patent-infringement trial over its AirPods after reaching an agreement with headphone maker Koss Corp. to settle the case.

Judge Alan Albright of the US District Court for the Western District of Texas signed off July 23 on the parties’ deal—the terms of which were not disclosed—and canceled the trial, which had been scheduled to start with jury selection early Monday.

Apple and Koss wrote in a joint stipulation filed with the court that they “have resolved all matters in controversy between them.” Counsel for the parties didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Koss sued Apple in 2020, alleging that Apple’s wireless earbuds violate five Koss patents for its Striva in-ear and over-ear headphones. Koss asserted that it pioneered the technology for modern wireless headphones, including an internal microphone that reacts to voice prompts, headphone-touch controls, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP and Scott Douglass & McConnico represent Apple. K&L Gates LLP and Pakis, Giotes, Page & Burleson PC represent Koss.

The case is Koss Corp. v. Apple Inc., W.D. Tex., No. 6:20-cv-00665, order of dismissal 7/23/22.