A new lawsuit has landed on Apple’s doorstep, with significant implications for intellectual property and corporate accountability. On August 7, 2025, Fintiv, Inc., a Texas-based digital wallet technology provider, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. At the center of the complaint are allegations that Apple misappropriated proprietary mobile-wallet technology when developing its flagship payment service, Apple Pay. ReutersBusiness Wire

According to Fintiv, Apple approached CorFire—the precursor to Fintiv—between 2011 and 2012 under the guise of pursuing a licensing partnership. Under nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), CorFire shared confidential technical information intended for collaboration. Instead, Fintiv alleges, Apple siphoned off that information, hired key CorFire employees, and incorporated CorFire’s innovations—such as the secure element, NFC implementation, and trusted service management platform—into Apple Pay, which launched in 2014. Business WireReutersPYMNTS.com

The complaint does not just rest on trade-secret misappropriation. Fintiv has inserted RICO and Georgia RICO claims, framing Apple’s conduct as a pattern of racketeering. It argues that Apple formed an “association-in-fact enterprise” with leading banks and payment networks—like JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, Visa, and Mastercard—to monetize the allegedly stolen technology, enabling Apple to generate billions in Apple Pay revenue without compensating Fintiv. Business WireReutersPYMNTS.com

Apple, unsurprisingly, has dismissed the lawsuit. A spokesperson told media outlets that courts have repeatedly rejected Fintiv’s previous claims and that the company stands by Apple Pay’s innovation and commitment to privacy and security. Apple emphasized that its design, which avoids storing account-specific information on devices, fundamentally differs from Fintiv’s patented approach. Apple also disputes hiring allegations, stating one employee cited never worked on Apple Pay, while another joined after the service was already developed. 9to5MacAppleInsider

This legal battle follows a long history between the companies. Fintiv first sued Apple in 2018 in Texas, alleging patent infringement related to mobile wallet technology. While the Federal Circuit remanded part of the case in May 2025, a Texas judge ultimately ruled Apple did not infringe most of Fintiv’s claims. Fintiv then voluntarily dismissed the remaining claims shortly before trial commenced. Kasowitz LLP9to5Mac

The Georgia lawsuit represents a strategic shift—from patent infringement to a more expansive claim grounded in RICO and trade secrets. Fintiv positions its narrative as part of a broader “partner, poach, and profit” playbook, pointing to other alleged instances with companies like Masimo and Valencell. Business WirePYMNTS.com

If you or anyone you know is confronting complex intellectual property disputes—especially involving trade secrets, patents, or alleged theft—professional counsel matters. Contact The Plus IP Firm today. Call Mark Terry at 786-443-7720 or email [email protected] to schedule a consultation.