BASF has launched a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company’s Face ID technology violates patents it holds on face authentication systems. The action arrives nearly a decade after Face ID first appeared in the iPhone X.
The German-based chemical group is one of the largest companies of its kind in the world, and its move places Apple in familiar territory. The iPhone maker has faced numerous patent disputes over the years, and this latest claim adds to that list.
What the lawsuit alleges
BASF claims that Apple infringed patents it owns relating to face authentication technology. Face ID has been a central feature of Apple’s mobile devices since its debut, appearing in nearly every iPhone released since the iPhone X, as well as in many versions of the iPad.
The technology allows users to unlock devices, authorise purchases and access secure apps by scanning their faces. Its widespread adoption across Apple’s product line means the feature is present on a large proportion of the devices the company currently sells.
Apple faces renewed legal pressure
This is not the first time Apple has been challenged over the technology underpinning its products, and it is not the first action involving BASF either. The company must now respond to yet another patent infringement claim, defending the mechanisms behind one of its most recognisable security features.
Face ID remains a standard authentication method across the iPhone and iPad ranges. The outcome of the dispute could have implications for how Apple defends the intellectual property associated with its facial recognition systems.
BASF began the legal proceedings against Apple over the patents it holds on face authentication technology.
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Image: appleinsider.com
