The legal battle between Qualcomm, the world’s dominant supplier of baseband processors, and Apple continues on as Qualcomm announces plans to file patent infringement complaints.
The complaints will be filed with the International Trade Commission and Federal Court. Qualcomm wants the commission to investigate Apple’s “infringing imports” and ban imports of iPhones and other devices containing Qualcomm tech. The company also wants a cease and desist that would bar sales of infringing Apple products such as iPhones and iPads that were already imported.
“The patents we are asserting represent six important technologies, out of a portfolio of thousands, and each is vital to iPhone functions. Apple continues to use Qualcomm’s technology while refusing to pay for it,” says Qualcomm executive vice president and general counsel Don Rosenberg.
In January, Apple filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm, alleging the chip supplier demanded unfair terms for its technology. However, Qualcomm denies the allegations and says Apple wouldn’t have an iPhone business if it weren’t for fair licensing of the company’s essential tech.
Qualcomm claims it went out of its way to offer alternative licensing (which Apple rejected), and that, in suing Qualcomm, Apple is motivated by reducing the cost to make iPhones.
