Qualcomm plans to file for an injunction on the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR in China, which would theoretically prevent the sale of those devices in the country, a lawyer for the company told the Financial Times today.
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Earlier this week, a Chinese court granted an injunction on older iPhone 6s through iPhone X models in China after it ruled that those devices violated two Qualcomm patents, and the chipmaker now plans to assert those same patents against the latest iPhones amid an escalating legal battle with Apple.
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."
In a statement issued following the ruling earlier this week, 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.
Apple has continued to sell the affected iPhone models in China because it believes the patent infringement ruling does not apply to iOS 12, leading Qualcomm to call on the Fuzhou Intermediate People's Court to enforce the injunction.
Reports suggest that Qualcomm's latest efforts are an attempt to pressure Apple into settling a long-standing dispute between the two companies, primarily over chip-related licensing fees. Reports also suggest that the iPhone injunction could be politically motivated due to the ongoing US-China trade war.
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Top Rated Comments
Good for Qualcomm, Apple has bullied enough companies over the years
You seem to not have an idea who is bulling on this case. The "smart ass" Qualcomm seem to want a % for every iPhone sold (regardless if they do or they do not have their chips in them) and not for the actual chips. And only for Apple. What a wonderful idea he?? Talk about bulling!!Not everything is for sale no matter how much money you have.
Everything is for sale. With that said, I don't want Apple to buy them. I want Apple to bury them.It's amazing how much the patent system sounds like a game of Simon Says. Apple has manufactured machines that manipulate photos and switch applications for decades BUT throw the phrase "using a touch screen" before a feature, and all of the sudden, it's brand new.
Absolutely. Patents should not be issued for things like this. It wasn't that long ago Apple was suing Samsung for using the "swipe to unlock" and "pinch to zoom" gestures. Patent law has gotten ridiculous and is being used to protect generic ideas rather than the specific implementation of those ideas.