The US company Qualcomm today announced the filing of a lawsuit against the Apple company over a patent dispute, which also seeks to ban the importation of certain iPhone models.
The company, based in San Diego, California, wants to ban the import of iPhone phones that do not have processors Qualcomm, one of Apple’s suppliers.
The appeals were filed in the Southern California courts, on the one hand, seeking financial compensation, and before the International Trade Commission (ITC), to ban imports.
These resources are not expected to affect Apple’s sales in the short to medium term, because it may be a long time before there is a ruling on this issue, and in any case Apple may appeal.
In fact, in a statement announcing these decisions, Qualcomm expects ITC investigations to begin next August and for the case to be brought to trial next year.
According to Qualcomm, Apple is allegedly violating six patents of the first firm in terms of iPhone functions, which are manufactured outside the United States, and calls for a ban on the “illegal import and sale” of those devices.
“The patents we are defending represent six major technology functions, out of a portfolio of thousands, and each is vital to the iPhone’s functions,” Qualcomm executive vice president Don Rosenberg said in the statement.
According to the firm, these functions are linked to the extension of the capacity of the batteries in the use of these phones. The statement does not specify to what models the iPhone applies the alleged illegal use of patents.
Apart from making processors and other components for smartphones, Qualcomm has as its business the registration of patents on functions of these devices.
The decision announced today by this firm is part of a court battle that faces Apple and Qualcomm for several months.
Apple sued Qualcomm last June for an invalid use of patents, months after it accused the firm of misusing its business model as some of its patents overlap with others.
On April 12, the Canadian company won an arbitration over a dispute with Qualcomm over the payment of royalties for the use of licenses, even though both companies are partners in product development.
In the case of Apple, Qualcomm is competing with Intel in supplying microprocessors for iPhone phones and iPad tablets.
