Apple steps up battle with Qualcomm by demanding patents be invalidated
Apple has sought to have 18 patents registered by Qualcomm invalidated, in the latest development to their legal battle over royalty payments.
In an amended complaint, filed at the US District Court for the Southern District of California on Tuesday, June 20, Apple said the Qualcomm patents should be “rendered obvious” by other patents.
“There exists a definite and concrete, real and substantial, justiciable controversy between Apple and Qualcomm regarding the validity of one or more claims of the patents,” said Apple in the claim.
“This controversy is of sufficient immediacy and reality to warrant the issuance of a declaratory judgment.”
Qualcomm manufactures chips used in smartphones, allowing them to connect to cellular networks.
In January of this year, WIPR reported that Apple had sued Qualcomm after it had allegedly been overcharged billions of dollars by Qualcomm.
According to Apple, Qualcomm is one of many companies to have contributed to the development of “standards related to how cellular phones connect to voice and data networks”, entitling Qualcomm to a fair royalty based on the value of its particular contribution, but not from others’ contributions.
Qualcomm filed a counterclaim (pdf) in April, denying all allegations and claiming that Apple “failed” to uphold its share of the bargain in a business co-operation and patent agreement between the companies.
But Apple concluded: “By tying together the markets for chipsets and licences to technology in cellular standards, Qualcomm illegally enhances and strengthens its monopoly in each market and eliminates competition.”
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox
Today’s top stories:
Gene Simmons applies to trademark ‘devil horns’ hand gesture
Canon awarded $4.5m in toner patent case
Admiral Nelson rum infringes Captain Morgan trademarks, says Canadian court
