Following a string of lawsuits, Qualcomm now seeks the US government to enforce a ban on iPhone imports. Since the beginning of 2017, Apple filed four lawsuits against the market giant on accusations of overcharging for basic patents. The latest lawsuits came after the Federal Trade Commission announced that it would sue Qualcomm for abusing its position as market leader.
The Legal Fights Seem to Only Escalate
As the lawsuits against the market giant seem to pile up, the company is now retaliating by asking the US government to enforce a ban that would stop Apple products for entering American soil. Moreover, the company asks for halting the sales of iPhones that are already in the country.
Qualcomm accuses Apple of violating six patents that deal with extending the battery life of a mobile phone. The company added that the patents have not been licensed because they are not essential for a standard product. However, the company accuses Apple of using technology that the industry giant refuses to pay for. Qualcomm’s general counsel, Don Rosenberg stated:
Qualcomm’s inventions are at the heart of every iPhone and extend well beyond modem technologies or cellular standards.
By striking back, the company aims to put a strain on Apple and its suppliers.
On the other hand, Apple’s lawsuit stays in line with the Federal Trade Commission’s accusations of Qualcomm’s practicing anti-competitive prices. Moreover, Apple extended the lawsuit to two other countries, including China.
The company claims that Qualcomm charges extremely high royalties for technologies it is not responsible for and therefore abusing its position as a market leader. Apple claims that the rates are five times higher than all the other patent licensors combined.
Qualcomm has strongly denied both FTC’s and Apple’s accusations. As a primary supplier of smartphone modems, the company has a leverage that might force Apple to come to an agreement regarding the shipment of iPhones.
As of yet, Apple did not issue a response and its position remains to be seen.
Image Source: Techcrunch
Roxanne Briean
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