TrinamiX, which is part of BASF, claims that Apple’s Face ID technology violates multiple patents it holds. Below are the specifics.
TrinamiX alleges that seven of its patents are violated by recent iterations of Apple’s Face ID, which appear in iPhone and iPad Pro devices, according to a report first noted by Reuters.
In the filing, TrinamiX characterizes itself as a BASF spin‑off that has evolved from a startup into a firm designing, developing, and marketing advanced sensing solutions such as biometric imaging, 3D vision, and near‑infrared spectroscopy for consumer and industrial uses.
The patents cited by TrinamiX relate to a method for detecting human skin during facial authentication, a feature intended to close a loophole that, per the lawsuit, let researchers defeat the original Face ID using custom 3D masks.
TrinamiX explains that its approach projects a light pattern onto a face and measures the reflected light to assess surface characteristics; when paired with 3D depth data, it can differentiate real skin from photos, masks, or other spoofing materials.
The seven patents asserted in the suit fall into two groups:
– Optical skin detection for face unlock (US Patents no. 12,530,925; 12,288,421; 12,456,334; 12,361,760)
– Detector for identifying at least one material property (US Patents no. 12,298,394; 12,332,352; 12,461,238)
The complaint identifies the following Apple products as allegedly infringing:
– iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
– iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
– iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max
– iPhone Air
– 11-inch iPad Pro (4th generation)
– 12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th generation)
– 11-inch iPad Pro M4 and M5
– 13-inch iPad Pro M4 and M5
TrinamiX additionally references unspecified other iPhone and iPad models that it claims infringe, without specifying exactly which devices.
Having laid out its arguments, TrinamiX requests that the court rule Apple violated its patents, issue an injunction preventing Apple from manufacturing, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing the accused products, and grant damages plus legal fees.
The firm is seeking a jury trial before the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.
The complete complaint from TrinamiX can be viewed below (via IP Fray):
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