Qualcomm Ruling Halts iPhone Sales in China

U.S. Blocks Broadcom Takeover of Qualcomm

Qualcomm announced today that it has won two preliminary injunctions against Apple in China related to their ongoing patent spat. They require Apple to immediately stop selling the iPhone in that country.

“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,” Qualcomm executive vice president and general counsel Don Rosenberg said in a prepared statement. “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.”

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The injunctions require Apple to immediately stop infringing on two Qualcomm patents. And, more damaging, to halt the “unlicensed importation, sale and offers for sale in China of the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X.” That’s right: The order requires Apple to stop selling the iPhone in China.

Apple’s infringing patents were previously found to be valid by SIPO, the Chinese patent office, Qualcomm notes. They include a patent for adjusting and reformatting the size and appearance of photographs, and one for managing apps using a touch screen when viewing, navigating and dismissing apps on a phone.

Qualcomm further notes that it has filed additional actions against Apple for other offenses and is seeking similar relief.

 

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Conversation 6 comments

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    10 December, 2018 - 10:24 am

    <p>Not the XS, the XS Max and the XR? I guess this is the legal gears turning slowly as ever.</p><p>Temporarily halting production would habe been be a bigger fulcrum to get Apple's attention.</p>

  • Tony Barrett

    10 December, 2018 - 10:31 am

    <p>Oh how the tides have turned, but let's see how this one pans out. Maybe Apple will just find a few hundred million down the back of the couch and pay Qualcomm off. As China is Apple's 'growth market' (apparently), they won't want to risk not being able to sell any phones there.</p>

    • Greg Green

      12 December, 2018 - 8:13 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#380446">In reply to ghostrider:</a></em></blockquote><p>Or Apple will pay the Fuzhou Intermediate People’s Court in China and the decision will be reversed. </p><p><br></p><p>Maybe this is how the Chinese government lets Apple know there needs to be more loyalty to the party.</p>

  • jbuccola

    10 December, 2018 - 10:46 am

    <p>Software patents like these are bogus and now unenforceable in the US. At one point there were over 1,000 US patents issued on browser popups. China will eventually catch on, and it looks like Apple will have a helluva hill to climb.</p>

  • Dryloch

    10 December, 2018 - 11:10 am

    <p>Apple does NOT have to stop selling iPhones in China. Only iPhones with IOS 11 are included in this ruling. Apple is not selling IOS 11 devices anymore so this does not bother Apple in the slightest.</p>

  • Bob Shutts

    10 December, 2018 - 1:02 pm

    <p>As was pointed out in the premium comments, the injunction does not apply to iPhones with the current version of IOS (12) installed. So….after all the bluster, this story is a nothing burger.</p>

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