In response to a Chinese company's lawsuit over Siri infringement, Apple, which has been silent on the case, is responding for the first time.
In a statement sent to Yicai.com on August 4, Apple said, "We are disappointed that Xiaoi Robot has filed yet another lawsuit. An independent appraisal body certified by China's Supreme People's Court has also concluded that Apple has not infringed on Xiaoi Robot's technology."
Apple said the case has been ongoing for eight years and that Siri does not contain features included in its patent, which relates to gaming and instant messaging.
Apple said, "We highly value innovation and look forward to presenting the facts to the court."
On August 3, the Chinese technology company Shanghai Xiaoi Robot Technology officially filed a lawsuit with the Shanghai Higher People's Court, demanding Apple to stop Siri patent infringement.
Chinese company reopens lawsuit against Apple over Siri infringement, claims 10 billion yuan
Xiaoi demanded Apple to stop making, using, promising to sell, selling, and importing products that infringe ZL200410053749.9 patent and claimed RMB 10 billion.
The case was first filed eight years ago and then was suspended. Xiaoi Robot's reopening of the case stems from a recent decision by China's Supreme People's Court on the validity of its patents.
On June 28, the Supreme Court made the latest change in its ruling on the validity of Xiaoi Robot's patent for a "chatbot system".
The ruling reversed the previous Beijing High Court's second-instance ruling and upheld the Beijing First Intermediate Court's first-instance ruling that Xiaoi Robot's patent was valid.
Xiaoi Robot has reopened its lawsuit against Apple based on the outcome of the patent trial.
Yicai.com quoted intellectual property lawyers as saying that the 10 billion yuan claim is rare in history, and it is not yet known for what purpose the plaintiff is making the 10 billion yuan claim.
A lawyer said to Yicai.com through calculations, according to the 10 billion yuan compensation amount, the lawyer's legal fees may be more than 50 million yuan, which is almost equivalent to the annual operating income disclosed before the delisting of Xiaoi Robot.
In response to the 10 billion yuan claim, Xiaoi Robot responded to a Yicai.com reporter, saying, "The basis for our claim is perfectly reasonable and legal, but it is not convenient to disclose the details at this time."
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