Apple hit with $1.4B lawsuit by Chinese AI firm over Siri technology

A Chinese AI firm announced Monday that it has filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against Apple, which could prevent the tech giant from selling certain products in the important Chinese market, according to a report.

Shanghai Zhizhen Network Technology Co. -- also known as Xiao-i -- announced it is suing Apple for 10 billion yuan ($1.43 billion) in damages in Shanghai court after the Chinese company recently acquired a patent for a voice assistant whose technical architecture is said to be similar to Apple's Siri, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Apple introduced the voice-activated intelligent assistant Siri in 2011. Since then, it has helped smartphone and laptop users enable functions such as alarms and reminders as well as send texts or call someone without having to pick up the device.

Xiao-i did not immediately respond to FOX Business' requests for comment.

As part of the lawsuit, Shanghai Zhizhen Network Technology Co. is asking the tech behemoth to stop the sale, production and use of its products that have the patent, which encompasses the vast majority of Apple's products.

In June, following an eight-year legal battle, China's Supreme Court ruled that Shanghai Zhizhen owns the patent for the technology in China, the Journal reported, adding that the company can apply for a preliminary injunction.

Related Reading：Apple hit with $1.4B Siri patent lawsuit from Chinese company

Source: www.foxbusiness.com

Author：Daniella Genovese

Editor：Vapor