Apple, Koss end legal brouhaha over alleged AirPods patent infringement

Apple and Koss have ended dueling lawsuits over alleged AirPods patent infringement, with both asking the court to dismiss the legal action, reports AppleInsider. No reason for the joint agreement was mentioned.

On July 24, 2020, headphone maker Koss sued Apple for patent infringement. In August 2020, Apple returned the favor. Allegations in the first suit revolve around Koss development of the Striva line (pictured) of headphones. The lawsuit claimed that the Cupertino, California-based company infringes on five patents. “Koss has been damaged as a result of the infringing conduct by Apple,” Koss says. “Thus, Apple is liable to Koss in an amount that compensates it for such infringement, which by law cannot be less than a reasonable royalty.”

Then, in a filing with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California San Jose Division, Apple “one-uped” Koss’ five-count lawsuit with one containing six counts. While the first details an alleged breach of contract, the other five each declare the tech giant didn’t infringe on each of five patents that Koss is using in its own complaint.

Apple sought to stop Koss from using the discussions raised under the confidentiality agreement in any lawsuit, to declare Apple doesn’t infringe on the identified claims, a recovery of “reasonable attorneys’ fees,” and any other relief. 

However, AppleInsider reports today that claims by Koss against Apple are to be dismissed “with prejudice” while claims by Apple against Koss are to be dismissed “without prejudice.” This means Koss can’t refile the same claim against Apple in that court, but Apple still has the potential to do so with its own.

Koss Corporation is an American company that designs and manufactures headphones. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin since 1958, the company invented the first high fidelity stereophones.