BASF sues Apple over Face ID patent infringement

patent infringement Face ID biometric authentication trinamiX anti-spoofing technology

BASF, through its subsidiary trinamiX, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple in a U.S. federal court in Midland, Texas. The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s Face ID technology violates seven patents related to biometric authentication and anti-spoofing measures.

The disputed technology focuses on material and skin recognition, using near-infrared light to distinguish real human skin from fraudulent attempts using 3D-printed masks, photos, or silicone replicas. While trinamiX notes that Apple’s original Face ID on the 2017 iPhone X did not utilize this specific technology, the company claims that newer models, including the iPhone 15, 16, 17, and iPad Pro, incorporate these patented methods without authorization.

BASF is seeking unspecified financial damages and a formal injunction to prevent further infringement. The lawsuit asserts that Apple knew or should have known about the potential infringement during software updates. Apple has not yet issued an official response to the claims.