Apple Must Face ‘Find My Friends’ Patent Infringement Claims

Patent infringement claims against Apple Inc. based on its “Maps” and “Find My Friends” iPhone apps have enough support to surmount the company’s motion to partially dismiss the case, the Eastern District of Texas ruled.

Maxell Inc.'s complaint sufficiently alleges that Apple knew of the alleged infringement before the suit was filed, and that Apple induced its users to infringe the patents, the court said Oct 23.

Maxell’s suit against Apple alleges direct, induced, willful and contributory infringement of 10 patents related to mobile device navigation technology.

Apple moved to dismiss some of Maxell’s claims, arguing that it didn’t intend ...