Apple involved in another court mess; this time against software company Ameranth

Cupertino, CA, United States (4E) – Aside from its legal battles with Samsung, Apple finds itself in another court tussle. Software developer Ameranth has filed a lawsuit against the Cupertino-based company claiming that its patent rights have been violated by Apple.

“Three of the patents in this Ameranth patent family have been asserted in several patent enforcement actions against Apple business partners,” according to Ameranth’s court filing.

Ameranth is known for selling apps and software to businesses, specifically to the gaming industry. According to the lawsuit filed, Apple’s Passbook app violates four of Ameranth’s U.S. patents.

According to Ameranth, the patents infringed by Apple involve the syncing of information, such as electronic menus and restaurant info, through wired or wireless devices and means.

Apple’s Passbook app allows users to sync and use electronic copies of their boarding tickets and passes, coupons and privilege cards.

“One of the Ameranth patents-in-suit, U.S. Patent No. 6,384,850 — the first patent issued in this Ameranth patent family — was cited as a prior art reference in two Apple iPhone patents issued to named inventors Bas Ording and Steven P. Jobs,” the company also stated in its court filing.

Ameranth has also filed patent lawsuits against several companies in July. Some of the companies it sued include Hilton Hotels, Travelocity and Ticketmaster.

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