British Inventor Takes on Apple in Bitter $18 Billion Patent War

British inventor Patrick Racz is embroiled in a bitter patent lawsuit against Apple, seeking $18 billion over allegations that the tech giant infringed on his filesharing and payment system technology used in iTunes.

Racz, who found his fortune as the creator of the world's first three-way mixer tap, Triflow, and expanded his business globally, faced hard times after the dotcom crash. His subsequent descent into depression and alcoholism changed when he secured patents for his technology in 1999, spurring a legal battle with Apple.

With a history of entrepreneurial success, Racz's fight against Apple echoes the classic narrative of an independent inventor challenging a corporate behemoth.

Despite initial success, including a stunning $533 million award in 2015, his victories were overturned following Apple's appeals and patent invalidation.

Now Racz alleges the US patent system is biased towards Apple, with a lawsuit against the US Patent Office for withholding documents.

Even with personal attacks from Apple supporters and seeing his family suffer from the conflict, Racz remains undeterred, backed by investors sharing the legal stakes, as he faces a prolonged and expensive legal journey.

Away from his legal troubles, Racz supports Regent Sounds, a significant London music store with a storied past. He is also sharing his life story through an autobiography and a prospective documentary, showcasing his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.