Apple, after winning and successfully banning some of the great devices produced by great rival companies like Samsung and HTC, now has been charged with allegations of stealing its secret noise cancellation technology from Noise Free Wireless.
Noise Free Wireless, filed for a patent (US Patent No. 7742790) entitled "Environmental noise reduction and cancellation for a communications device" on noise reduction and cancellation invention in 2007 and was granted the patent in June 2010 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
According to the claim made by Noise Free, in a series of meetings, the company shared proprietary documents, offered detailed instructions and gave presentations and finally left circuit boards and the functional noise-cancelling mock-up phone in Apple's possession under a non-disclosure agreement.
"At one point, Apple's head of mobile phones and tablets was called into the meeting to learn about Noise Free's technology," the filing read.
The company also claimed that Apple did not return documentation and a user guide for the Noise Free hardware when it was requested "in or around early 2009." And, in 2009, the Cupertino tech giant "ceased communication" with Noise Free. Both the companies, however, resumed communication in 2010 summer but Apple, after several meetings and discussions, had chosen Audience to supply noise cancellation chipsets and software. But according to Noise Free, Apple then used the technology for its iPad and iPhone devices without the permission from the maker of the technology.
"On further information and belief, Apple provided Audience with Noise Free's confidential trade secret information to assist Audience in delivering a noise cancellation solution that was similar and/or identical to the solution that Noise Free designed," the suit alleged.
Noise Free filed the complaint last week, reported IDG News Service.
Apple declined to comment on the same.
Noise Free, headquartered in California's Silicon Valley, is known for their several highly innovative features in its unique approach to voice clarity and noise cancellation.
To know more about the filing, click here.
