An Apple store in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Photo: IC

The litigation case over a patent right conflict between Chinese AI company Xiao-I Corporation and US-based Apple will be heard at Shanghai High People's Court on May 5, according to Chinese online business information provider Tianyancha.

The trial is the latest development as part of an extended litigation since 2012. Xiao-I Corporation sued Apple, alleging the latter's product Siri infringed the patent of a chat robot system invented by Xiao-I Corporation in 2004. 

After series of hearings, the court recognized the validity of Xiao-I Corporation's patent on June 2020. In August that year, Xiao-I Corporation launched another lawsuit against Apple demanding compensation of 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion). Apple counter-sued its opponent to defend the product in December 2022.

A representative from Xiao-I Corporation confirmed the court hearing to the Global Times on Monday, but noted they were unable to provide a response before the court rules. 

Xiao-I Corporation was established in China in 2021 and was listed in NASDAQ in 2023, backed by multiple investors including Alibaba, Blue Focus and Geely, Tianyancha and the corporation's official website said.

Global Times