Apple to Pay $23.6M for Infringing on Pager Patents

Apple must pay a Texas company $23.6 million for infringing on 1990s pager technology.

Mobile Telecommunications Technologies (MTel) last year sued Cupertino, claiming that its iDevices offer services that violate several of its patents regarding two-way exchange of data.

As reported by AppleInsider, Cupertino argued that many of the patents in question were invalid. The jury agreed in one case, saying that emojis are not covered by MTel's patents.

But Apple lost the argument over five other patents, which covered technology included iMessages and calendar invites. The patents in question were issued by wireless messaging pioneer MTel in the mid- to late-90s, and have either recently expired or are nearing the end of their terms, according to Bloomberg. Cupertino argued they were invalid because they didn't cover any new innovations.

"Apple makes a great product and they deserve a lot of the credit they get," MTel attorney Daniel Scardino told Re/code. "But they should also give credit to those who are due credit for advancing the state of technology that came before them. That's what this trial is all about."

Apple declined to comment on the ruling.

MTel initially sought $237.2 million in damages, or about $1 per device.

Lewisville, Texas-based MTel now serves as the licensing arm of United Wireless, which co-owns and operates the SkyTel network used by first responders and doctors.

In October, Cupertino avoided a $94 million suit brought by a Honolulu company seeking damages for allegedly infringing on patents for—you guessed it—pager technology, according to Re/code.

Editor's Note: This story was updated Nov. 20 with a response from Apple.