A federal regulator announced an investigation into Apple on Tuesday over claims that elements of the tech giant's products violate another company's patents, Reuters reported.
The U.S. International Trade Commission launched the probe after a software company called Aqua Connect and one of its subsidiaries filed a complaint last month.
SEE ALSO:New Apple patent reveals the tech giant is exploring 3D hand-trackingThe agency, which presides over trade in and out of the United States, has the power to block imports of Apple's products if it decides the company is breaking the law.
Aqua Connect's case hinges on Apple's AirPlay technology — the feature that allows audio and video to be streamed across different Apple devices. Aqua Connect sells software that allows Macs to be accessed remotely, and it claims Apple ripped it off after ending its working relationship with the company six years ago.
Aqua Connect says that Apple previously "worked closely" with it on development and sales before cutting ties "abruptly and without explanation" in early 2011. Months later, Apple launched its Lion operating system with a screen-sharing tool built in. Aqua Connect claims that feature was based on its intellectual property.
The company also alleges that a number of Apple's related tools also violate these terms, including the screen-mirroring option within AirPlay.
Perhaps because the complaint centers on Apple's overarching platform, the ITC's investigation spans various Apple products, including certain Apple Mac computers, iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Apple TVs, according to Reuters.
As the richest and most prominent computer company in the world, Apple frequently faces patent infringement claims, and, more often than not, it's found to be in the clear. Still, it remains to be seen how serious these latest allegations are.
Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
TopicsApple
(责任编辑：知識)
We asked linguists if Donald Trump speaks like that on purpose
Someone said 'Ed Sheeran got hot' and now it's a meme
Artists are protesting Trump with a pointed fill
Everything coming to HBO Now in September 2019Nate Parker is finally thinking about the woman who accused him of rapeU.S. pole vaulter skids to a halt for national anthem
An American pole vaulter took his patriotism to the next level at the Olympics.。Sam Kendricks, a sec
...[详细]Eliza Byard fights so that every LGBTQ student can be themselves
Every day of Pride Month, Mashable will be sharing illuminating conversations with members of the LG
...[详细]Facebook firing Mark Zuckerberg? Don't get your hopes up.
You may have heard that some people are unhappy with Facebook and, more specifically, its chairman a
...[详细]Google adds a play button to Chrome
Google is preparing to introduce a new feature to Chrome in the form of a general purpose play/pause
...[详细]Darth Vader is back. Why do we still care?
They saved the best for last in the first official trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, release
...[详细]Here is why Jar Jar Binks is trending on Twitter
Proving the internet can be an unpredictable wave of silliness, controversial Star Wars character Ja
...[详细]'Midsommar' review: 'Hereditary' director redefines horror with beauty
It's hard to think of Midsommaras a horror movie. No, not because we use genre-stigmatizing terms th
...[详细]How capitalism made niche nerd cultures cool
Welcome toSummer Cooldown, our weeklong tribute to all things cool in pop culture. Through our role
...[详细]Carlos Beltran made a very interesting hair choice
Apparently the Texas Rangers' Carlos Beltran is taking hair advice from another Carlos in sports --
...[详细]Rare butterflies start their once
The rare painted lady butterfly has been spotted in the U.K. and Ireland, a once-in-a-decade phenome
...[详细]Slack goes down again, prompting anxiety everywhere
Someone said 'Ed Sheeran got hot' and now it's a meme