TRADE CASE
ITC rules that Apple violated patent
Washington/San Francisco — The staff of the US International Trade Commission (ITC) on Friday recommended that a trade judge find that Apple infringed at least one of Qualcomm’s patents, a move that could lead to blocking the import of some iPhones. The San Diego chip maker filed a complaint against Apple nearly a year ago, asking the commission to ban the import of iPhones containing rival chip maker Intel’s so-called modem chips, which help mobile phones connect to wireless data networks. At a trial in Washington that started on Friday, the ITC staff said Apple had violated one of Qualcomm’s patents around battery-saving technology. The ITC staff acts as a third party in such trade cases. The staff lawyers’ opinions are not binding, but judges often follow them. In previous filings in the ITC case, Apple has argued that Qualcomm’s patents are invalid and that, regardless, the judge should not ban Intel- based iPhones because it would give Qualcomm a monopoly on modems in the US an...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.