We know that Apple has huge cash reserves that is in the billions, but if a German patent troll has their way, they could be taking a huge chunk of cash from Apple in the form of $2 billion in damages. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, it seems that a German patent troll by the name of IPCom has demanded Apple to pay them close around $2 billion for apparently infringing upon a piece of technology that they own. However this piece of technology is not some obscure patent, but rather one that is used by every mobile phone in the market and is also required by law.
The patent in question is related to a chip that is used to help identify mobile phones used by emergency services to give them priority access to networks in the event that the networks are heavily congested, such as during a major disaster. These phones will also be able to circumvent carrier blocks who might choose to block off all phones in a particular area to prevent said congestion, only allowing devices from rescue personnel, such as police and firefighters, to go through. Apple, along with Google, HTC, Ericsson, and Vodafone have in the past asked the European Patent Office to declare the patent invalid as it was a required standard, although the EPO has since denied their request. The hearing is expected to take place on the 11th of February.