BASF subsidiary trinamiX sues Apple over Face ID patents

TrinamiX, a subsidiary of the German chemical giant BASF, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple in a Texas federal court. The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s Face ID technology infringes on seven patents related to biometric sensing.

The disputed technology focuses on the ability to distinguish human skin from materials used in spoofing attempts, such as photographs, masks, or silicone replicas. By analyzing how light reflects off a surface, the technology helps ensure the person being authenticated is a real human being. TrinamiX claims this capability is central to the security and reliability of Face ID.

The accused products include a wide range of recent and upcoming Apple hardware, specifically the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 series, as well as various iPad Pro models equipped with M4 and M5 chips. TrinamiX is seeking an injunction against further infringement, along with damages and royalties. While a legal injunction in the U.S. could impact device availability in that market, the immediate impact on global users is expected to be limited.