A key trial in the wider legal fight between the two companies is slated to begin April 15 in San Diego federal courtÂ
Chip-maker Qualcomm Inc on Friday won a legal battle against Apple, over patented technology used in iPhones.
According to various media reports, a jury in a federal court in Southern California ordered Apple to pay Qualcomm $31 million for violating three of its patents.
The patents that led to a legal war between Qualcomm Apple include “flashless booting” that allows a smartphone to quickly connect to the Internet once the device is turned on; a technology that lets smartphone apps download data more easily; and the third patent is related to graphics processing and battery life.
The award for infringing on three patents amounted to $1.41 per iPhone sold from July 2017, when Qualcomm filed the lawsuit, till today.
“Today’s unanimous jury verdict is the latest victory in our worldwide patent litigation directed at holding Apple accountable for using our valuable technologies without paying for them,” Qualcomm General Counsel Don Rosenberg said in a release announcing the verdict.
Apple “disappointed” with the outcome
An Apple spokesperson thanked the jury but said the company was disappointed by the verdict.
“Qualcomm’s ongoing campaign of patent infringement claims is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the larger issues they face with investigations into their business practices in US federal court, and around the world,” the spokesperson said.
The two companies have been entangled in legal battles for years. Qualcomm also has won patent infringement claims against Apple in China and Germany, though it has lost some as well. Several cases are still pending worldwide.
A key trial in the wider legal fight between the two companies is slated to begin April 15 in San Diego federal court.
The trial next month will also examine Qualcomm’s licensing business.
