Qualcomm Seeks Import Ban on AT&T and T-Mobile iPhone 8 and iPhone X Models

[MacRumors]

Qualcomm today announced that it has filed three new patent infringement claims against Apple, accusing the Cupertino company of violating a total of 16 Qualcomm patents with its most recent iPhones, including the iPhone X.

Most of the patents in question cover technologies like carrier aggregation, memory designs, and power management features that are designed help to reduce battery usage, but in one claim, Qualcomm says Apple is using a depth-based image enhancement technique for Portrait mode that violates a Qualcomm patent.

Qualcomm is also filing a new complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) concerning five of the patents, and it is asking the ITC to ban imports of iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X models that use chips from Intel, aka AT&T and T-Mobile devices in the United States.

The complaint with the ITC follows a previous filing in July that saw Qualcomm ask for an import ban on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models equipped with Intel modem chips, along with some iPad models. Qualcomm has not asked for a ban on iPhones that use Qualcomm LTE chips, with the reasoning that a more limited exclusion order is more likely to be granted.

In the lawsuit, Qualcomm once again says its inventions form the "very core" of "modern mobile communication," and that without Qualcomm technology, Apple products "would lose much of their consumer appeal."

Qualcomm is seeking damages in an amount to be proven at trial, a permanent injunction against Apple, and attorneys fees.

Qualcomm's latest filing follows a countersuit from Apple that was filed earlier this week. Apple claims that Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips infringe on "at least" eight battery life patents owned by Apple.

The legal battle between Apple and Qualcomm kicked off in January of this year, and it has escalated rapidly over the course of the last several months. It is not clear if the ITC will agree to investigate the claims Qualcomm has made against Apple, but this will be a legal battle that spans several years, so Apple devices are in no danger of being banned anytime soon.

Article Link: Qualcomm Seeks Import Ban on AT&T and T-Mobile iPhone 8 and iPhone X Models

 

[farewelwilliams]

"Qualcomm has not asked for a ban on iPhones that use Qualcomm LTE chips, with the reasoning that a more limited exclusion order is more likely to be granted."

because more iPhones sales with Qualcomm chips gives them more money

 

[dominiongamma]

Apple should have never done business with this sleazy company

 

[Solomani]

Qualcomm is doing its best to make even more enemies…. now including Intel, AT&T and the stupendously loudmouthed John Legere T-Mobile.

 

[Williesleg]

Can't we just get Little Timmy Cook and Qualcomm to hug it out? I mean he's gotta be good for something, new products and decent security patches ain't it.

 

[scrapesleon]

Qualcomm Need to give it a break now they lost the all important war

 

[fmalloy]

Apple should have never done business with this sleazy company

Sleazy because it's not Apple.

How DARE someone else make money from developing the technology for the Anointed Almighty God Steve Jobs' phone!

 

[dominiongamma]

Sleazy because it's not Apple.

How DARE someone else make money from developing the technology for the Anointed Almighty God Steve Jobs' phone!

When they were trying to cheat Apple it’s sleazy

 

[Packers1958]

Even if they win, it will be 5 to 6 years from now when it clears the courts, and no one will be using those phones anymore.

 

[Duane Martin]

Well with Qualcomm current market cap sitting at around $97 billion and it's valuation being a bit low on the tech side with good dividends being paid Apple should just buy the company and absorb all of the patents. Let Qualcomm continue to do what they do but without all the litigation. I mean, if I had $97 billion laying around that's exactly what I would do.

Of course, that kind of thinking is probably one of the reasons I don't happen to have $97 billion laying around.

 

[agsystems]

Apple should have never done business with this sleazy company

Uh - not sure how you can build a cell modem without using Qualcomm technology- for Apple to bring this in house it will take too many years and its not worth it when they can continue using Intel.

 

[Phonephreak]

When they were trying to cheat Apple it’s sleazy

They aren’t cheating anyone. Qualcomm has hardware and software patents. Use a Qualcomm modem you pay for both the hardware use and then the software use.

 

[thadoggfather]

How many times are they gonna try this?

Increasingly glad I dont have the scummy co’s radio in my X or 7+

 

[bodonnell202]

When will the children grow up... the ITC should send them both to their rooms to think about what they've done.

 

[Sasparilla]

Apple can't kick these guys to the curb soon enough. Then it'll be up to Samsung over in Android land to do it next.

Qualcomm (looking at the terrible rate of CPU progress - i.e. lack of investment) seems much more like Oracle as a company than anything.

 

[redneckitengineer]

Qualcomm is just scared that once Apple completes its transition to Intel only in the coming years it won't be able to suck the Apple teat for $$ anymore. So it's trying to salvage any hope of it profits, instead of competing with a valid innovative product at a competitive price point.

 

[Analog Kid]

Qualcomm ask for an import ban on [...] models equipped with Intel modem chips, [...]. Qualcomm has not asked for a ban on iPhones that use Qualcomm LTE chips, with the reasoning that a more limited exclusion order is more likely to be granted.

Yep. Only because they're trying to look reasonable by not banning the sale of their own chips...

 

[ChinaRye]

I’m actually enjoying watching Qualcomm flail around in panic and desperation. Nothing like a little bit of much deserved schadenfreude to put a spring in your step.

 

[Mascots]

Apple should have never done business with this sleazy company

Given that Qualcomm's technology (and the patents behind them) have become de facto standard for wireless communications, you can not work without using their IP and thus, are forced to do business with them.

Especially considering that even if you use chips produced by Qualcomm's competitors, you are required to license the IP back to QC. Samsung is having major issues with this.

 

[Aluminum213]

Hopefully this ban goes through, way too many iPhones on the streets right now. I will look a lot more cool if I was the only one with an iPhone X

 

[jamesnajera]

Ok...Apple just buy Qualcomm

 

[trusso]

Don't know, nor care who's in the right. As with most things, there's certainly a gray area where the truth resides. Nothing is black-and-white.

That said, Qualcomm and Apple both, would do well to heed the warnings of ages past.

By the sword you did your work, and by the sword you die.​

Aeschylus, Agamemnon
​

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."​

Matthew 26:52
​

Fat chance, right? I'm waiting for the day the world proves me wrong.

 

[gavroche]

Sleazy because it's not Apple.

How DARE someone else make money from developing the technology for the Anointed Almighty God Steve Jobs' phone!

Deep breaths.... its gonna be ok

 

[tridley68]

Qualcomm just shrivel up and fall off the tech world already.

 

[pike908]

Meanwhile, in the REAL WORLD, every day folks have REAL problems. Eventually Apple and Qualcomm will settle...