Qualcomm asks US to ban iPhones sales

By Barry Eitel

SAN FRANCISCO

Qualcomm asked U.S, trade regulators on Thursday to stop the sale and import of Apple iPhones in the latest escalation of a global legal battle between the two companies.

Qualcomm alleges components of Apple’s iPhones infringe on its patents, which is why it is seeking a ban of the smartphone’s sales.

“Apple continues to use Qualcomm’s technology while refusing to pay for it,” Don Rosenberg, Qualcomm’s general counsel, said in a statement. “These lawsuits seek to stop Apple’s infringement of six of our patented technologies.”

The suit was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission and requested all iPhone imports cease and all sales of iPhones already in the U.S. be banned.

Specifically, Qualcomm said Apple has infringed on six patents relating to extending the iPhone’s battery.

“Qualcomm’s inventions are at the heart of every iPhone and extend well beyond modem technologies or cellular standards,” according to Rosenberg.

“The patents we are asserting represent six important technologies, out of a portfolio of thousands, and each is vital to iPhone functions.”

Qualcomm wants the government to investigate which iPhones use components from competitors that infringe on its patents and then ban the sale of those smartphones. Without the investigation, it is not clear exactly how many iPhones would be banned.

Apple referred Anadolu Agency to comments the company made in June regarding Qualcomm.

“Qualcomm’s illegal business practices are harming Apple and the entire industry,” an Apple spokesman said at the time. “They supply us with a single connectivity component, but for years have been demanding a percentage of the total cost of our products - effectively taxing Apple's innovation.”

In January, Apple sued Qualcomm for $1 billion, alleging it charged royalties for technologies it should not have.

Qualcomm stock fell just more than 1 percent to close Thursday at $54.79.