14 DAY TRIAL // Zhizhen Technology Co., a Shanghai-based company, has sued Apple over patent infringement by Siri, its personal assistant introduced with iOS 5 on the iPhone 4S in 2011.
The patent in question is for a voice recognition technology used in its “Xiao i Robot” software. It was admittedly filed in 2004, years before Apple even bought the company responsible for Siri technology.
The Chinese company is reportedly asking Apple to stop sales and manufacturing of products that are using its patented technology.
Apple and Zhizhen have already had a face-off in court, according to sources familiar with the situation. Apple reportedly denied the accusations brought forth by the plaintiff, while the court rejected the Mac maker’s attempt to have the case rejected.
The video embedded above shows the Xiao i Robot in action and a comparison with Siri, Apple’s digital assistant. The two obviously share a striking resemblance, both functionally and graphically.