February 9, 2025, 7:31 am | Read time: 5 minutes

In the vast tech cosmos, some bizarre legal cases have occurred–ones that can at least make outsiders smile. For instance, the mega-corporation Nintendo recently sued a small supermarket in Costa Rica because it was named after the popular video game hero Super Mario. You can find out how the case turned out here. However, it is also clear that legal disputes are always a serious matter for the parties involved. The following legal cases are among the largest in the tech industry; the first one, by the way, is not yet fully resolved.

Microsoft Completes Activision Deal Despite Sony’s Resistance

In January 2022, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the video game developer behind well-known titles such as “Call of Duty” and “World of Warcraft,” for around $69 billion. For Sony, this was troubling news–the company expressed concerns that Microsoft could gain an unfair advantage in the gaming market through the deal. The acquisition drew the attention of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The UK authority approved the transaction more quickly, while legal hurdles remain in the U.S.

This led to one of the biggest legal battles in the tech world. The FTC tried for months to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In December 2022, the agency filed a lawsuit and later sought a preliminary injunction. However, a court ruled in favor of Microsoft, which, through various concessions–including the promise to continue offering “Call of Duty” on PlayStation for at least 10 years–sufficiently ensured competition. The deal was approved in July 2023. However, the FTC continues to pursue an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft. If it turns out that the merger had anti-competitive effects, Microsoft could be required to sell parts of Activision Blizzard or meet other conditions.

Legal Dispute Between Apple and Google

Another of the biggest legal battles in the tech world, which questioned the influence of major platform operators on digital markets, began in 2020 when the game developer Epic Games (known for “Fortnite”) sued Apple. The allegation: Apple’s App Store policies were anti-competitive, particularly the requirement to process payments through Apple’s own system. This involves a revenue share of up to 30 percent for Apple. The court ruled that Apple must allow developers to point to alternative payment methods. However, the ruling did not fully satisfy either party: Epic Games demanded a more drastic change in practice, while Apple wanted to stick to its policies. Both appealed, but the Supreme Court declined to rehear the case.

Also read: Change of course at Apple! Epic Games can bring Fortnite back to the iPhone

7-Year Legal Dispute Between Apple and Samsung

Still among the most well-known legal disputes in the tech industry is the long-standing conflict between Apple and Samsung. This began in 2011 when Apple accused Samsung of copying the design of the iPhone and iPad in its own devices. The focus was on patent infringements and design copies–Apple demanded, among other things, that Samsung remove its devices from the market.

The tech portal “The Verge” recounted the dispute point by point. A central issue was the question of “who owns the concept of smartphones with rounded corners.” The legal battle finally ended in 2018 with a settlement between the parties, but the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

One of the Biggest Legal Battles in the Tech World: Oracle vs. Google

In 2010, a significant legal battle began between the software company Oracle and Google. Information on this can also be found at “The Verge.” Oracle sued Google because the tech giant used Java programming languages in its Android software without acquiring a license. The ensuing trial dragged on for several years and repeatedly made headlines. The lawsuit is still considered one of the most important copyright disputes. It wasn’t until 2021 that the court ruled in favor of Google.

More on the topic

Ruling on monopoly position Google lawsuit: Internet giant faces restrictions after losing court case

More Freedom, New Fees Google Announces Extensive Changes in the Play Store

Winklevoss Twins (ConnectU) Sue Facebook Founder

This legal dispute may be familiar to many through the Hollywood film “The Social Network” (2010). In 2004, twin brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, along with their business partner Divya Narendra, sued Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. They accused him of copying the concept of their social network “ConnectU.”

The case was high-profile and lengthy. Eventually, Zuckerberg agreed to a payment of $65 million and the transfer of shares to the plaintiffs, as reported by the “New York Times.” However, the Winklevoss brothers were not satisfied with this settlement, so the lawsuit continued. In 2011, a U.S. court finally ended the legal battle, which is likely one of the largest in the tech industry.

Many Lawsuits Against Microsoft–Including Misleading Logos

In the early 2000s, the software company Microsoft was repeatedly sued, particularly due to the introduction of the Windows Vista operating system. Various plaintiffs accused the company of Vista’s shortcomings and failure to deliver promised features.

In 2009, “Computer Woche” reported on a lawsuit against Microsoft for misleading the “Vista Capable” logo. This logo suggested that PCs with this seal supported the full features of Windows Vista, which was not the case. Buyers of the affected devices often received only a stripped-down version of the operating system. The dispute ended with a settlement.