Qualcomm has won another patent-infringement injunction against Apple, this time in Germany. As a result, Apple will stop selling its iPhone 7 and 8 handsets in that country.
“Qualcomm’s campaign is a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues between our companies,” an Apple statement explains. “Their tactics, in the courts and in their everyday business, are harming innovation and harming consumers. Qualcomm insists on charging exorbitant fees based on work they didn’t do and they are being investigated by governments all around the world for their behavior. We are of course disappointed by this verdict and we plan to appeal … During the appeal process, iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models will not be available at Apple’s 15 retail stores in Germany. iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR will remain available in all our stores.”
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The German sales ban is for iPhones models that use Intel and Qorvo components which infringe on Qualcomm patents. This is the second major iPhone sales ban for the firm: A China-based court has banned the sale of all iPhones in that country, but Apple has yet to comply beyond updating its iOS software.
shameermulji
<blockquote><em><a href="#384699">In reply to Bob_Shutts:</a></em></blockquote><p>I agree. Qualcomm should be going after Intel since they're the ones apparently infringing on the patents, not Apple. Apple's beef with Qualcomm has to do with over-paying for royalties. Not only do smartphone makers have to pay for the Qualcomm modem but they also have to pay a percentage of their smartphone sales. That's called double-dipping</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#384743">In reply to shameermulji:</a></em></blockquote><p>If Apple didn't like the patent licensing terms, they always had the option of not including technology that Qualcomm patented. At least these patents cover real technology not rounded corners BS .</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#386314">In reply to Oreo:</a></em></blockquote><p>Well, that's your interpretation. Time will tell what position the courts will take.</p>
dontbe evil
<p><span style="color: rgb(55, 62, 68); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">justice… apple like to fight with patents, this time someone else use the same weapon</span></p>
skane2600
<p>If the patent office suspended all patent applications for 10 years it would only increase innovation. Ever since corporations became involved the intent behind patents have been subverted. For the most part the inventors don't own the patents their work is based on. Patent holders should have a deadline to implement their ideas in a product or lose the patent. The intent was always to give inventors a temporary monopoly to profit from their ideas, not to merely block other people from using the ideas.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#384962">In reply to Oreo:</a></em></blockquote><p>Well, the "biggest guy in the market" approach was exactly what Apple has used in their suits over much more questionable IP.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#386308">In reply to Oreo:</a></em></blockquote><p>It's not a question of wrong or right but of consistent legal treatment. Apple wants to be treated favorably over its competitors. </p>
dontbe evil
<blockquote><em><a href="#384761">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>irony was their main weapon, fight on "their" patents … now suddenly became silly </p>
wocowboy
Premium Member<p>Apple should just give up and do what must be done, which is raise the price of all iPhones $500 to pay royalties on the patents Qualcomm holds. That will take care of it. Qualcomm holds patents on everything any cellphone does, from whether there is a click or not and the sound of that click and force needed to push the Power button to what happens when the screen lights up, and must be paid a percentage of the purchase price for each and every one of those patents for any manufacturer to be able to sell a phone anywhere on the planet. Qualcomm did and does not design, engineer, or manufacture ANY of these patents or devices, but they hold them and therefore must be paid at least half the price of every device manufactured and sold anywhere on the planet. (all said with tongue firmly planted in cheek)</p>