“On Friday, U.S. International Trade Commission judge Thomas Pender found that the iPhones violate one of Qualcomm’s patents, but still refused to block imports of the devices,” Richard Lawler reports for Engadget. “Their squabble is focused on Apple’s use of Intel chips instead of those made or licensed by Qualcomm, and how they’re being used in some iPhones.”
“According to Pender, “statutory public interest factors” weighed into his decision against issuing a ban,” Lawler reports. “If this holds up it removes a tool Qualcomm could use as leverage for a possible settlement from Apple.”
Read more in the full article here.
“The judge’s recommendation ‘makes no sense,’ Qualcomm said,” Susan Decker reports for Bloomberg. “The judge’s findings are subject to review by the full commission, which has the final say.”
“‘Qualcomm has continued to unfairly demand royalties for technologies they have nothing to do with to protect their monopoly,’ Apple said in a statement. ‘We’re glad the ITC stopped Qualcomm’s attempt to damage competition and ultimately harm innovators and U.S. consumers,'” Decker reports. “‘The leverage would be massive with the import ban, but the infringement still provides [Qualcomm] with something,’ said Matt Larson, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. ‘It could create exposure for Apple down the road, which is helpful to Qualcomm in the current licensing discussion.'”
“Apple has phased out its use of Qualcomm chips during the dispute and its latest phones don’t use any of the San Diego-based chip-maker’s products,” Decker reports. “Apple contends Qualcomm charges too much for its patents on fundamental telecommunications technology, and has directed its suppliers to stop paying royalties until a better deal can be reached.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: The dance continues and iPhones continue to be imported into the United States of America by the tens of millions. 🙂
Qualcomm’s unreasonable, illogical, and irrational licensing scam, which charges a percentage of the total cost of all components in the phone, even non-Qualcomm components, must end.
SEE ALSO:
Qualcomm accuses Apple of stealing ‘vast swaths’ of chip secrets and passing them to Intel – September 25, 2018
Qualcomm dealt another blow in second ITC action against Apple – September 19, 2018
Qualcomm CEO sees chance of Apple settlement this year – September 18, 2018
Qualcomm makes a tactical error in its battle with Apple – September 7, 2018
Magistrate judge rebukes Qualcomm for iPhone patent infringement allegations it originally chose not to bring – September 6, 2018
EU regulators charge Qualcomm with additional violation in pricing case – July 19, 2018
Apple petitions U.S. Patent Office to invalidate four Qualcomm patents – June 22, 2018
Apple brings 5G and national security into Qualcomm patent battle – June 18, 2018
Analyst: Apple, Qualcomm legal fight could settle this year – June 11, 2018
Apple CEO Tim Cook to be deposed in Qualcomm lawsuit – April 6, 2018
Judge Koh sets aside sanctions order against Apple in FTC v. Qualcomm antitrust case – February 8, 2018
Apple gets support from Lawyers for Civil Justice in fight against discovery sanctions – February 1, 2018
EU fines chipmaker Qualcomm $1.2 billion for paying Apple to shut out rivals’ chips – January 24, 2018
Apple sanctioned in Qualcomm FTC case for withholding documents – December 22, 2017
Apple countersues Qualcomm for patent infringement – November 29, 2017
Apple designing next-gen iPhones, iPads that would dump Qualcomm components – October 31, 2017
