Apple's celebration over acquiring Beats Electronics may be short-lived as Bose has filed a lawsuit against Beats over what it says is an infringement on its noise-cancelling patents.
The Massachusetts-based company filed the suit in federal court and claims Beats headphones use technology that infringes on five of its patents.
This is not the first time Bose has voiced concerns over Beats headphones. It has also filed a similar complaint with the United States International Trade Commission, which will likely hear that case while the federal court lawsuit is put on hold.
The move aims at banning Beats from being permitted to sell its noise-cancellation headphones in the United States. Bose is seeking to ensure the company, owned by Apple, is not allowed to import the devices into the country.
In arguing its case, Bose claims it began working on such technology some 40 years ago and had begun selling its QuietComfort headphone line in 2000 that had similar noise-reduction technology.
"Because Bose invests heavily in research and development, and because Bose has built its reputation on producing superior products through innovative technology, Bose's continued success depends in substantial part on its ability to establish, maintain, and protect its proprietary technology through enforcement of its patent rights," the company said.
Apple purchased Beats for $3 billion in a move largely seen by tech observers as one that would push Apple into the electronics sector even further, with the ability to add Beats technology and integrate the tech into Apple product development.
It's not the first time Beats has found itself in a lawsuit battle. Earlier this month, the company filed a lawsuit against a number of unnamed Chinese companies and individuals, where Beats alleged they sold counterfeit Beats headphones and products online. Beats said that it has a "worldwide anti-counterfeiting program" that checks for copycat products.
But the Bose lawsuit could be especially damaging, if proven true, as it could mean an end to one of Beats top-selling items.
Neither Beats nor Apple officials have made a comment on the Bose allegations.
