(qlmbusinessnews.com Mon, 22nd Jan, 2024) London, UK —
“From Triflow Taps to Tech Dispute: British Inventor Seeks £18 Billion from Apple”
Patrick Racz, a former plumbing tycoon and established British inventor, is entangled in a protracted patent dispute with tech giant Apple, claiming it unlawfully appropriated his file-sharing and payment system designed for iTunes.
Racz, renowned for inventing the Triflow, the world's first three-way mixer tap, experienced financial ruin during the dotcom crash after his plumbing business collapsed. His fortunes took a turn for the worse as his dotcom venture, a file-sharing and payment tech company, allegedly had its ideas pilfered by Apple's iTunes store, leading to a prolonged legal battle.
The Triflow inventor, who achieved wealth and success in the 1980s, asserts that Apple stole his dotcom-era venture's system. Racz's emotional struggles during this period culminated in deep depression, and he turned to alcohol as he grappled with the challenges.
What revitalized Racz was the issuance of patents for his technology, initially filed in 1999 and granted nearly a decade later. This paved the way for an ongoing legal battle with Apple, seeking $18 billion in damages. While Racz has secured some victories in court, the outcome remains uncertain for both parties, guaranteeing a protracted and costly legal process.
Raised on a strawberry farm in Jersey, Racz's early career involved sales before venturing into the tap business. After selling his tap company, Avilion, he entered the digital download market during the dotcom era. His anti-piracy alternative Smartflash, with patented systems for payments and secure downloads, attracted deals with retailers and manufacturers.
However, the fallout from 9/11 and the dotcom crash saw key partnerships dissolve. Racz alleges that Gemplus, a French SIM card company and Apple partner, claimed the product as its own. Observing Apple's success with products that blended hardware and software, Racz claims Jobs received credit for concepts he had pioneered.
Despite winning $533 million in damages from Apple in 2015, one of the largest jury awards to a private inventor, Racz faced setbacks. Apple successfully appealed the decision, arguing that Racz's patents were invalid. Online backlash, including death threats from unknown individuals, followed Racz, especially from Apple supporters.
His ongoing legal battle involves a lawsuit against the US Patent Office for refusing to disclose uncensored emails and documents related to his intellectual property. Racz contends that the US patent system has been influenced by Apple's wealth and power. Apple, in response, asserts that Smartflash is exploiting the patent system to seek royalties for technology it invented.
In addition to his legal pursuits, Racz supports Regent Sounds, a musical instrument shop in London's Denmark Street. Racz remains focused on his legal campaign, backed by private investors who stand to gain from any successful outcome. His autobiography, “Smartflash,” has been written, and there are plans for a documentary about his life.
Racz remains resolute, stating that his experiences have made him even more determined.
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