Nearly a decade after Face ID debuted in the iPhone X, BASF is bringing a lawsuit against Apple for violating face authentication technology patents it holds.
Many versions of the iPad and nearly every iPhone since the iPhone X has used Face ID. For whatever reason, BASF chose today to pursue a patent infringement lawsuit.
According to a report from Reuters, the German-based BASF company has started a lawsuit against Apple. They allege patent infringement for their patents held on face authentication technology.
The company has a Houston location and has chosen Midland, Texas for the lawsuit. It's a U.S. District Court known for being favorable to patent lawsuits.
Apple hasn't shared a statement on the matter.
BASF is a corporate giant
It seems Reuters may have been tipped off on this lawsuit, so while we await an official filing, the information we can find doesn't say much. There doesn't seem to be any indication that BASF is a patent troll.
Exploring the company website doesn't reveal much either. It feels like one of those conglomerates you might see in a movie, as they cover everything from agriculture to chemicals in sunscreen.
Searching their database of "products" doesn't show anything pertaining to facial recognition, at least not at first glance.
There is a chance the lawsuit was brought about through an acquisition. Many large conglomerates acquire smaller companies for their patents, and perhaps BASF acquired such face recognition patents in a recent purchase.
A smaller company might not have the means to pursue Apple in a lawsuit, but BASF certainly can. AppleInsider will provide updates on the lawsuit as soon as they become available.
