Tag: Qualcomm and Apple Patent battle

Did Apple really hand over the Qualcomm’s tech secrets to Intel?

Qualcomm and Apple’s long-running lawsuit took a new turn yesterday. The chipmaker biggie came up with a new accusation on the iPhone maker of misusing their powers by supplying its tech secrets to the Intel, one of the biggest rival.

Qualcomm’s allegations over Apple

On Tuesday, 24th September 2018, Qualcomm came with a legal filing stating that “Apple engaged in a years-long campaign of false promises, stealth, and subterfuge designed to steal it’s confidential information and trade secrets in order to help Intel and other rivals field competing for mobile chips.” The submitted legal document even claimed that Apple’s goal was to buy mobile chips from Intel instead of depending on Qualcomm.

Now, if we believe the chip biz allegations, Apple swiped their secrets to Intel with the motive of paving the way for improved semiconductors in the iPhones. Qualcomm even said that the secret trading has already cost them billions of dollar sales.

Apple response over the allegations

Apple responded to the allegations with the statement – “Qualcomm’s illegal business practices are harming Apple and the entire industry“. The iPhone maker went on with the counter saying that the chip biz has always been supplying the single connectivity component and yet asking a percentage share of the total cost of our products. In short, the organization charged a huge amount for a simple technology.

Summing it up

Well, while both the tech giants are pointing fingers at each other, Intel is missing the fight-ring. The company has not uttered a word over the issue yet. This battle between the Apple and Qualcomm is seemed to be going too far. Last year, Apple filed a lawsuit over the illegal licensing terms of Qualcomm and stated that they are being asked for unfair compensation. As the case proceeded, Qualcomm counter back with asking blueprints to Intel chips used in iPhones.

Qualcomm even settled its Antitrust dispute with Taiwan, last year. But, this case seems nowhere near a settlement right now. Let’s wait and watch if both the organizations will lower the sword or the fight will still go on.

EU Antitrust charges to be imposed on Qualcomm over iPhone Modem lawsuits in Germany

Qualcomm, the leading chip-maker organization is going to face penalties from the European Commission over Antitrust charges in upcoming days. The company is being alleged for paying Apple to eschew the rival companies in the industry.

Why will Qualcomm be under EU scrutiny?

Apple brought this antitrust actions of Qualcomm in light by filing a report to the Directorate-General for Competition earlier this year. Now, EU officials are looking to query Qualcomm over the allegations. The complaint filed against Qualcomm contains its attempts of patent enforcement in Germany. The motive behind this Antitrust action is directly against Apple by coercing them into acquiring its chips instead of sharing the supply chain with Intel.

The two companies were in peaceful agreement with each other before Intel came into the picture. Qualcomm used to provide chips to the iPhone maker in cheaper cost. But, as Apple shifted their interest to Intel, Qualcomm tried to draw the line.

This patent battle of Qualcomm with Apple had been the highlight for quite a few time. Earlier, Qualcomm even asked for blueprints to Intel Chips used in the iPhones. The company wanted the blueprints of the chips used in Apple’s iPhones, but Intel went back to providing documents related to the latest radio frequency components being used in recent Apple phones.

Will Qualcomm be proved guilty?

The chip-maker has come out from other Antitrust cases as well. Qualcomm’s dispute with Taiwan ended with a settlement this year. Well, the trials of this case with Apple will begin in next few months. We will find out then if the chip biz company bypasses the charges or another EU fine is down the road.