Microsoft has been ordered to pay $242 million to IPA Technologies following a federal jury’s decision that its Cortana virtual assistant infringed upon IPA’s computer-communications software patent. Microsoft Faces $242 Million Verdict in Cortana Patent Dispute. The Delaware jury’s decision on Friday followed a week-long trial, determining that Microsoft’s voice-recognition technology violated IPA’s patent rights.
The case, which began in 2018, focused on a patent concerning personal digital assistants and voice-based data navigation. Though Microsoft contested the validity of the patent and denied infringement, the jury ultimately sided with IPA.
IPA Technologies, a subsidiary of patent-licensing company Wi-LAN, was acquired by Quarterhill Inc. and two investment firms. The patent at the center of the lawsuit originated from Siri Inc., a former subsidiary of SRI International, whose technology was later acquired by Apple for its Siri virtual assistant.
In response to the verdict, a Microsoft spokesperson stated that the company remains confident it did not infringe upon IPA’s patents and plans to appeal the decision. Representatives for IPA and Wi-LAN have not yet commented.
This lawsuit was initially filed against Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. Amazon successfully defeated its case in 2021, and the proceedings with Google remain ongoing. Microsoft Faces $242 Million Verdict in Cortana Patent Dispute
