Ancora Technologies Sues Apple over Patented Method for Restricting Software License

Ancora Technologies, a company based in Sherman Oaks, Calif., has filed a lawsuit against Apple in a U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, claiming ownership of U.S. Patent No 6,411,941, entitled "Method of Restricting Software Operation Within a License Limitation," which Apple’s iOS devices allegedly infringe upon.

According to the suit filings, Apple's iOS mobile operating system infringes on Ancora’s patent related to restricting the operation of software through licensing.

Awarded on June 25, 2002, the invention documentation notes that illegal copying of software costs billions of dollars in lost profits, something that can be easily fixed with Ancora's patented solution - restrict software operation with a license limitation.

The patent documents describe “A method of restricting software operation within a license limitation that is applicable for a computer having a first non-volatile memory area, a second non-volatile memory area, and a volatile memory area.”

“The method includes the steps of selecting a program residing in the volatile memory, setting up a verification structure in the non-volatile memories, verifying the program using the structure, and acting on the program according to the verification,” reads the patent abstract.

According to a report by AppleInsider, which documents the suit, Apple is accused of violating the '941 patent with none other than its iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

All three gadgets are specifically named in the complaint, according to the Apple-centric site.

"Apple had knowledge of the '941 patent at least as early as December 11, 2002 and has not fulfilled its duty of care," Ancora’s complaint reads. "Thus, Apple's infringement is willful, wanton, and deliberate."

As a result of Apple's alleged infringement of the patent, the Sherman Oaks company is seeking damage compensation three times greater than the federal government's recommended patent infringement damages law.

Ancora is also asking the court to prevent Apple from further alleged infringement of the patent in question.