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Qualcomm claims Apple infringed its patents, wants to ban iPhone in the U.S

By Cookie Monster - on 9 Jul 2017, 4:00am

Qualcomm claims Apple infringed its patents, wants to ban iPhone in the U.S

Two months after reports surfaced that Qualcomm was trying to block Apple from selling iPhones in the U.S, the chipmaker officially filed a patent infringement complaint against the iPhone maker with the U.S ITC and Federal Court.

In its news release, Qualcomm claims that the iPhones "infringe one or more claims of six Qualcomm patents covering key technologies that enable important features and functions in iPhones. Moreover, Qualcomm wants ITC to issue a Limited Exclusion Order (LEO) to bar the import of iPhones and other products into the U.S to stop "Apple's unlawful and unfair use of Qualcomm’s technology".

For Apple products which are already imported, Qualcomm is seeking a Cease and Desist Order to stop their sales, marketing, advertising, demonstration, warehousing of inventory for distribution and use in the United States. 

“Qualcomm’s inventions are at the heart of every iPhone and extend well beyond modem technologies or cellular standards,” said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel of Qualcomm. “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. These lawsuits seek to stop Apple’s infringement of six of our patented technologies.”

The legal battle started in January this year when Apple sued Qualcomm for US$1 billion over royalty fees. It followed up with two other lawsuits against the chip maker in China and another one in London. This resulted in Qualcomm countersuing Apple in the U.S two months ago. Apple recently filed a claim in the U.S Federal Court asserting that Qualcomm's chip licenses are invalid.

Source: Qualcomm via Engadget 

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