● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
BASF Subsidiary TrinamiX Sues Apple Over Alleged Face ID Patent Infringement
Key points
- TrinamiX alleges Apple's Face ID infringes seven patents.
- Patents cover optical skin detection for facial authentication.
- Lawsuit targets recent iPhone and iPad Pro models.
- TrinamiX seeks damages and an injunction against Apple.
Patent Infringement Allegations
TrinamiX, a spin-off of BASF, has initiated legal action against Apple, claiming that Apple's Face ID technology, particularly in its newer iterations, infringes on seven of TrinamiX's patents. The lawsuit specifies that these patents relate to advanced sensing technologies, including biometric imaging and near-infrared spectroscopy solutions.
Technology in Question
The patents at the center of the dispute involve technology designed to detect human skin during facial authentication. TrinamiX states its technology projects a light pattern onto a face and analyzes the reflection to determine surface properties. This method, combined with 3D depth information, aims to differentiate human skin from materials used in masks or photographs, which could be used to bypass facial recognition systems.
Affected Apple Devices
The lawsuit lists several Apple devices as 'Accused Products,' including various models of the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, iPhone 17, and specific generations of the iPad Pro. These include the 11-inch iPad Pro (4th generation), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th generation), and the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models with M4 and M5 chips. TrinamiX also mentions other unspecified iPhone and iPad models.
Legal Demands
TrinamiX is requesting the court to rule that Apple has infringed its patents. The company is also seeking an injunction to prevent Apple from manufacturing, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing the accused products. Additionally, TrinamiX is asking for monetary damages and coverage of attorneys' fees, and has requested a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
Reporting from
TrinamiX, a BASF subsidiary, has filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that newer versions of Apple's Face ID technology infringe on seven of its patents related to facial authentication and skin detection. The lawsuit claims Apple's Face ID in various iPhone and iPad Pro models uses TrinamiX's patented technology to distinguish human skin from spoofing attempts, seeking damages and an injunction against Apple.