Qualcomm could be fined to the tune of €2 Billion for abusing its dominance by Forcing Apple to use their Chips Exclusively
Update: Jan 24, 2017 - 5 a.m. PST: EU Antitrust regulators finalize the fine against Qualcomm to US$1.2 Billion
About a year ago, Patently Apple posted a report titled 'The U.S. Fair Trade Commission Sues Qualcomm for Forcing Apple to use its Chips in iDevices," followed by another titled "Apple Sues Qualcomm for $1 Billion Claiming Unfair Exclusionary Tactics and Charging Excessive Royalties." While we don't have rulings on either of these cases to date, Apple seems to have gotten a break in that it's being reported today that "Brussels is poised to sanction Qualcomm for abusing its dominance when it paid Apple to use its chips exclusively in its smartphones and tablet devices, in a ruling that could boost the iPhone maker's multibillion-dollar legal campaign against the chipmaker."
The Financial Times is reporting that "Europe's antitrust watchdog is expected on Wednesday to say that the world's largest provider of baseband chips hurt competition and innovation when it paid Apple to buy all of its communication chipsets from Qualcomm between 2011 and 2016, according to people familiar with the process.
EU fines aim to both punish the company and deter future offenses, and are capped at 10 per cent of annual turnover. For Qualcomm, that could suggest a maximum levy of $2bn.
Such a ruling would also provide legal firepower for Apple's numerous court cases against Qualcomm around the world. From California to Beijing, the iPhone maker has accused the chipmaker of 'exclusionary tactics and excessive royalties' that it alleges have cost it billions of dollars in recent years.
Qualcomm has consistently argued that its business model provides fair compensation for the innovation that its chips enable. The San Diego-based company also blames Apple for stirring up regulatory attacks and is seeking to block sales of iPhones that do not use its modem chips in several key markets."
Apple – Qualcomm Battle History
The battle between Apple and Qualcomm has been raging on since the year began as our list of reports below proves out.
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
July 06, 2017: Qualcomm Files another Patent Infringement Complaint against Apple with International Trade Commission
June 20, 2017: Apple has asked the Court to Stop Qualcomm's Double Dipping 'No License, No Chips' Market Tactic
July 19, 2017: Apple joins in new Lawsuit against Qualcomm filed by Suppliers Hon Hai, Pegatron, Wistron and Compal
July 21, 2017: Intel Files Statement with ITC claiming Qualcomm is trying to Force them out of the Modem Business with Apple
Aug 09, 2017: U.S. International Trade Commission to Investigate Apple's Alleged Unfair Trade Practice within 45 Days
Aug 14, 2017: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has Requested Qualcomm provide more info on Dispute with Apple
Sept 08, 2017: U.S. Federal Judge Rules that Apple's Multiple Foreign Lawsuits against Qualcomm can Proceed
Oct 11, 2017: Taiwan's FTC Hits Qualcomm with a Record $773 Million Fine for Abusing their Monopoly Power
Oct 13, 2017: Qualcomm, as Expected, Seeks to Stop iPhone Sales in China with new Patent Infringement Case Filed
Nov 02, 2017: Qualcomm Sues Apple for Providing Intel with Qualcomm source code to Assist Intel's Future modems for iDevices
Nov 29, 2017: Apple Sues Qualcomm over Two Snapdragon Processors that Infringe on their Intellectual Property
Nov 30, 2017: Qualcomm Wastes no Time in Retaliating against Apple with another Patent Infringement Lawsuit filed in California
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