IBM Sues Rakuten for Patent Royalties on Websites, Mobile Apps

IBM said Rakuten’s websites and mobile applications, which provide consumers cash-back offers on products, use its technology without permission, infringing four IBM patents while helping Rakuten reap billions in annual revenue.

• IBM is seeking cash compensation and a court order blocking further unauthorized use of its inventions, according to complaint filed Monday in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware
• IBM said it has tried for almost six years to negotiate a license with Rakuten, which has “continuously refused to engage in any meaningful discussions”
  • Rakuten “offered excuses and delay, while unlawfully reaping the benefits of IBM’s innovations,” leaving IBM “with ...