Yesterday Patently Apple posted a report titled "Qualcomm's CEO in Video Interview Attempts to Downplay their War with Apple." Today the drama continues. Back in May Qualcomm sued Apple's iPhone suppliers for withholding royalty payments and today Apple's suppliers Hon Hai, Wistron, Compal Electronics and Pegatron have fired back with an antitrust lawsuit against Qualcomm alleging that the company has violated two sections of the U.S. based Sherman Act.

Theodore J. Boutrous, a lawyer for the four companies, said in a statement that "Qualcomm has confirmed publicly that this lawsuit against our clients is intended to make a point about Apple and punish our clients for working with Apple. The companies are bringing their own claims and defenses against Qualcomm."

Reuters further noted that "Much of the language in the contractors' allegations mirror Apple's objections to Qualcomm's business model. A senior Apple official confirmed that the company is helping to fund the contractors' legal defense as part of an indemnification agreement among the firms. Apple has also formally joined the contractor case as a defendant.

The lost license revenue from Apple has been a hit to Qualcomm's sales. Analysts expect $5.2 billion in revenue for the June quarter, down from $6 billion a year earlier."

So what did Apple think of the conciliatory tone set by Qualcomm's CEO the other day? Obviously not much.

Update: Qualcomm has just launched another lawsuit against Apple in Munich, Germany. For more details, see the full report by FOSS Patents here.

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Apple – Qualcomm Battle History

The battle between Apple and Qualcomm has been raging since the year began and we've covered major developments as noted in the 11 reports below.

Jan 17, 2017: The U.S. Fair Trade Commission Sues Qualcomm for Forcing Apple to use its Chips in iDevices

Jan 20, 2017 - Apple Sues Qualcomm for $1 Billion Claiming Unfair Exclusionary Tactics and Charging Excessive Royalties

Jan 22, 2017: Apple's Full lawsuit against Qualcomm Comes to Light Revealing Secret Licensing Agreements and more

Jan 25, 2017: Apple takes their War against Qualcomm to Beijing China

Jan 25, 2017: While Qualcomm is Guilty of Gouging Asian Smartphone OEMs, the Chip Maker Believes that Apple is the Problem

March 02, 2017: Apple has launched a new Lawsuit against Qualcomm in the U.K.

April 11, 2017: Qualcomm Fires Back at Apple with Counterclaims Lawsuit Claiming Breach of Contract and more

April 28, 2017: Qualcomm Lowers Q3 Fiscal 2017 Guidance due to Apple Holding back Royalty Payments

May 03, 2017: Qualcomm Plans Retaliation against Apple and ask the International Trade Commission to Stop iPhone Sales

May 12, 2017 - The FTC Responds to Qualcomm's Motion to dismiss their case about Monopoly Power, Samsung & Intel File Amicus Briefs

May 17, 2017: New Court Filing Details Qualcomm Suing Apple's iPhone Suppliers for withholding Royalty Payments

June 20, 2017: Apple has asked the Court to Stop Qualcomm's Double Dipping 'No License, No Chips' Market Tactic

July 6, 2017: Qualcomm Files another Patent Infringement Complaint against Apple with International Trade Commission