Qualcomm Wins Import Ban on iPhone 6s Through iPhone X in China, Apple Says All iPhone Models Remain Available

[MacRumors]

CNBC and Reuters today report that the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court has granted Qualcomm an import ban on the iPhone 6s through iPhone X in China after the court found those devices violated two Qualcomm patents. This could result in those iPhone models being unavailable to purchase in China.

However, in a statement issued to those publications, Apple said all iPhone models remain available for customers in China:

Qualcomm's effort to ban our products is another desperate move by a company whose illegal practices are under investigation by regulators around the world. All iPhone models remain available for our customers in China. Qualcomm is asserting three patents they had never raised before, including one which has already been invalidated. We will pursue all our legal options through the courts.

The first Qualcomm patent reportedly enables users to "adjust and reformat the size and appearance of photos," while the second is said to relate to "managing applications using a touch screen when viewing and navigating apps."

Qualcomm issued the following statement:

We deeply value our relationships with customers, rarely resorting to the courts for assistance, but we also have an abiding belief in the need to protect intellectual property rights. Apple continues to benefit from our intellectual property while refusing to compensate us. These Court orders are further confirmation of the strength of Qualcomm's vast patent portfolio.

The ruling does not apply to the new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR, nor does it apply to iPhones running iOS 12, which is possibly why Apple says all iPhone models remain available to customers in China. Apple naturally disagrees with the ban and said it is pursuing all of its legal options through the courts.

Of note, this ruling does not appear to be related to the larger legal battle between Apple and Qualcomm over wireless modem technology in iPhones.

Article Link: Qualcomm Wins Import Ban on iPhone 6s Through iPhone X in China, Apple Says All iPhone Models Remain Available

 

[Paul Simon]

How do you import something into the country it's manufactured in? That's a head scratcher…

 

[ghostface147]

How do you import something into the country it's manufactured in? That's a head scratcher…

Some parts are made in the US and have to be imported there.

 

[tooltalk]

It seems like the patents infringed are utility patents. Can Apple work-around with software update?

Also, is that a sales ban or an "import ban"? I thought those phones were already made in China.

 

[tromboneaholic]

I thought iPhones were exported from China, unless this only affects the 6s made in India.

 

[Paul Simon]

Parts yeah, but the ban is on the final product. Anyway, it just seems like another Hail Mary thrown by Qualcomm.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Some parts are made in the US and have to be imported there.

But based on the story it's not a ban on parts, but completed phones.

 

[Jay42]

And this is why it's so risky to do business in China. Kangaroo court, protectionist policies, rampant IP theft, the list goes on.

 

[gnasher729]

It seems like the patents infringed are utility patents. Can Apple work-around with software update?

Also, is that a sales ban or an "import ban"? I thought those phones are already made in China.

Something like "adjust and reformat the size and appearance of photos," cannot be patented, only a specific method of doing it. I mean surely Samsung phones have some way to "adjust and reformat the size and appearance of photos", and so have any other phones or computers? This is most likely something where whatever Apple is doing just does not match what Qualcomm claims in their patent.

 

[AngerDanger]

Alright, everybody, we have "Something about China" to mark off.

EDIT: I re-saved this still image as a GIF so you can mark off two boxes!

 

[Zadigre]

How do you import something into the country it's manufactured in? That's a head scratcher…

yeah...
and also article says this doesn't apply to iPhone running iOS12... so essentially all iPhone since the 5s are all fin now?

 

[pallymore]

Also Chinese nationalists cheer because they think this is the retaliation against the arrest of Huawei's CFO.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

And this is why it's so risky to do business in China. Kangaroo court, protectionist policies, rampant IP theft, the list goes on.

Well then don't make a product that uses it's parts from that area.....

 

[roar08]

And in other news, Qualcomm signs multi-year deal to supply Huawei with "special" chips.

 

[pallymore]

Well then don't make a product that uses it's parts from that area.....

but muh profits!

 

[blcamp]

Temporary. Qualcomm's days are numbered. There may be quite a few left, but they are numbered. Methinks this is partly in retaliation to the Huawei arrest. Watch this clear up in a couple months or so.

 

[Porco]

Alright, everybody, we have "Something about China" to mark off.

View attachment 809861
EDIT: I re-saved this still image as a GIF so you can mark off two boxes!

Oh my goodness, that might be my favourite post of yours in recent memory, and the bar was set high. The attention to detail, the self-deprecation, the simplicity worthy of Apple themselves.... Bravo sir, bravo.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Also Chinese nationalists cheer because they think this is the retaliation against the arrest of Huawei's CFO.

Exactly my first thought.

This is such a big story that really isn't getting that much coverage in the American media and I am shocked. Gotta keep the people stupid. Watch The Voice and check your Instagram.

Unreal.

 

[doctor-don]

In January 2017, Apple announced a $1 billion lawsuit against Qualcomm for overcharging chips and failing to pay $1 billion in rebates. Qualcomm however rejected the accusations, calling the claims "baseless". A week before the Apple lawsuit, Qualcomm shares dropped as the FTC accused the company of excessive royalties for technologies that are "essential to industry standards." Qualcomm was sued by a group of shareholders in the wake of the aforementioned FTC ruling and Apple lawsuit.

In March 2017, South Korea found out that Qualcomm prevented Samsung from selling their chips to other phone makers.

On January 24, 2018 the European Commission announced a €997 million fine ($1.2 billion) for violating antitrust laws in a series of deals with Apple where the US tech giant paid Apple to use its chips exclusively in its smartphones and tablets.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

And in other news, Qualcomm signs multi-year deal to supply Huawei with "special" chips.

They are a chip making company; if somebody asks for a nefarious chip they will make it that's what chip makers do. Politics have nothing to do with it and they are not breaking any laws so why not?

 

[H2SO4]

And this is why it's so risky to do business in China. Kangaroo court, protectionist policies, rampant IP theft, the list goes on.

Without getting too political, the west have stolen HUGE amounts from countries such as China over the years. I think their list is far longer than anything China could conjure up.
The war on those weapons of mass destruction that couldn't be found went through the highest embodiment of 'kangaroo court' in any land I'd say.

 

[justperry]

Spilled my coffee all over the table just reading the article header....

 

[Andres Cantu]

The irony is the patent is for photos and not for wireless

 

[DotCom2]

"The ruling does not apply to the new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR...".
And why is that?
Is it because these phones are still being currently made in China by Chinese workers? Hmmmm

 

[Kabeyun]

I really admire how China upholds such honor over issues such as respect for intellectual property. This couldn’t have anything to do with giving a hand to the likes of Huawei, could it?

It seems like the patents infringed are utility patents. Can Apple work-around with software update?

Article says the ban doesn’t apply to iPhones running iOS 12, so I guess so.