Boston University Sues Apple Over Gallium Nitride Thin Film Patent - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Boston University Sues Apple Over Gallium Nitride Thin Film Patent

BUApple has been sued by Boston University over a patent for gallium nitride films that the University alleges is used in the iPhone 5, iPad and MacBook Air, amongst other products. The Boston Herald first reported on the lawsuit.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, is for a patent awarded to a BU professor for which the university owns the rights.

U.S. Patent 5,686,738, titled "Highly Insulating Monocrystalline Gallium Nitride Thin Film" is related to a particular manufacturing process for LEDs and other semiconductor devices.

The lawsuit does not specify what inside Apple's products is alleged to be infringing, just noting Apple products in general. Boston University has sued a number of other companies over the same patent in recent months, including Samsung [PDF].

The initial filing is embedded below.

Popular Stories

apple welcome home event

Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:04 am PDT by
Apple today announced an upcoming product launch that will take place on Tuesday, October 13. We are expecting Apple's announcement to focus on new smart home products, including the long-rumored smart home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The home hub is an all-new device that's like a cross between an iPad and...
MacBook Pro Ultra Feature 1

Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:31 pm PDT by
Apple will introduce new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models and an OLED iPad mini "on or around" Tuesday, October 27, reports Bloomberg. The launch will also include an M6 14-inch MacBook Pro and an M6 iMac. The October 27 follows Apple's October 13 debut of a new smart home hub, a revamped Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Earlier this month, MacRumors reported that Apple would do ...
Apple TV 4K HomeView HomePod Mini tweaked

New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked

Sunday October 11, 2026 12:56 pm PDT by
Just two days before Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a ...

Top Rated Comments

173 months ago
Maybe I'm an idiot, but last time I checked apple doesn't manufacture the screens, they only buy them... Sooooo, why isn't this lawsuit contained to LCD manufactures?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
173 months ago
Apple's civil lawsuit department will need it's own spaceship campus soon!
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
173 months ago
Apple doesn't make LEDs. They should be suing the manufacturer of the parts. Apple is the aparent deep pockets.

Bogus at best.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Plutonius Avatar
173 months ago
A great way of getting your name or your organization name in the news :D.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sza Avatar
173 months ago
He who has a mind to beat his dog will easily find his stick.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
173 months ago
If Boston University gets some money out of this will it be dumped back into the school to lower tuition for students or into school buildings / programs? I know at other schools, it would most likely be stuffed into the pockets of the president, administrative faculty, board members, etc.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
6 hours ago
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
10 hours ago
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
10 hours ago
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
11 hours ago
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
11 hours ago
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
11 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
12 hours ago
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
12 hours ago
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
1 day ago
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
1 day ago
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
2 days ago
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
2 days ago
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
2 days ago
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
2 days ago
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
2 days ago
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
2 days ago
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
2 days ago
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
2 days ago
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
2 days ago
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
2 days ago
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
2 days ago
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
2 days ago
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
2 days ago
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
3 days ago
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
3 days ago
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
3 days ago
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
3 days ago
Apple's October 13 Launch: What's Coming
Apple's October 13 Launch: What's Coming
3 days ago