Apple is set to dispute a nearly $500 million patent bill at the UK Supreme Court, a figure that has since grown to over $700 million including interest according to a 2025 Court of Appeal ruling. This legal battle involves Apple and Optis Cellular Technology LLC over Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) terms for standard essential patents (SEPs) used in mobile telecommunication technologies, such as those found in iPhones.
The UK Supreme Court hearing, scheduled from June 29 to July 1, 2026, will address how UK courts should determine FRAND terms for global SEP licenses. This follows a 2020 Supreme Court decision in Unwired Planet v Huawei that established UK courts' jurisdiction over global FRAND terms. The Court of Appeal had previously overturned an initial judge's decision for a $56.43 million lump sum, instead determining a royalty of $0.15 per unit, resulting in a total payment of $502 million plus interest for Optis.
The situation is further complicated by recent developments in the US. On February 12, 2026, a Texas jury in the Eastern District of Texas cleared Apple of infringing five Optis patents, meaning Optis is not entitled to any payment from Apple under US law. While this US outcome doesn't directly dictate the UK Supreme Court's decision, as European judges generally give less weight to US jury verdicts, it could potentially influence the perception of Optis's patent portfolio's value.
Optis has stated its belief in the essential nature of its patents for high-speed cellular connectivity in Apple devices and is committed to fair compensation, despite the Texas verdict. Apple, on the other hand, is pursuing strategies to devalue and delay payments for patented technology. The UK Supreme Court will deliberate on various points, including the correct approach to determining FRAND rates, the Court of Appeal's methodology in its determination, and the implications of parallel foreign patent infringement proceedings.
