Qualcomm demanding Apple pay hefty fine in Germany for iPhone ban avoidance

Posted:
in iPhone
Qualcomm has filed with the German court responsible for the iPhone ban, demanding that Apple pay a significant fine, and prevent the sale of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 at retail from any Apple-affiliated vendor immediately.

Apple's iPhone 8 lineup
Apple's iPhone 8 lineup


Qualcomm appears to be taking issue with the fact that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 family are still available from independent Apple shops, and perhaps also contesting that they are available at retail in the country at all. Qualcomm attorneys claim that Apple is intentionally defying the court order.

"They obviously don't consider themselves bound by injunctions," Qualcomm said, in a summary of what was provided to the German judge that has been seen by AppleInsider. "Significant fines must be imposed to put a check on that."

Apple has pulled the models from its corporate retail presence in the country. The devices can still be found at retail through other sellers, both authorized and not.

Judge Matthias Zigann ruled on December 20, 2018 that Apple has violated Qualcomm patents on iPhones with Intel modems -- meaning all units sold in Germany. Apple supplier Qorvo violated an "envelope tracking" patent held by Qualcomm, vital to conservation of battery power while the modem is active. The ban is enforceable in Germany, though Apple could seek a stay through the appeals process -- which it is certain to do.

The intellectual property in question covers battery efficiency technology and originates from the same batch of six patents leveraged against Apple in Qualcomm's U.S. International Trade Commission complaint. Specifically, the chipmaker claimed infringement of U.S. Patent No. 8,698,558 for a "Low-voltage power-efficient envelope tracker."

Apple began using Intel modems with the iPhone 7, with the chipmaker winning about 30 percent of all orders for the handset at the time. Apple presently relies on Intel modems across its entire product line.

"Competition authorities around the world have repeatedly found Qualcomm's licensing practices unlawful, yet Qualcomm continues to try to achieve the same results through a campaign of patent lawsuits," Intel's general counsel, Steven Rodgers, said in a statement. "These lawsuits have been largely unsuccessful, and at best would reduce innovation and raise prices."

Apple issued a statement following the initial ruling, and has pointed to it on several occasions afterwards, up to a January 18 block on the second paragraph by the same German court that ordered the iPhone ban in the first place.
"Qualcomm's campaign is a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues between our companies. 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.

All iPhone models remain available to customers through carriers and resellers in 4,300 locations across Germany. 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."
Qualcomm posted the bond for the sales ban to take place, pending Apple's appeal. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 were pulled from shelves at Apple's retail stores on January 4.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 12
    magman1979magman1979 Posts: 1,301member
    Qualcomm is showing it's true colours, and they are more vile than Scamsung's!
    AppleExposedbshankolsjbdragonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 12
    fallenjtfallenjt Posts: 4,056member
    Bye bye to having any modem contract again with Apple, QualCumm. I would buy Intel stock now. Apple never do business with  QualCumm again!
    AppleExposedbshankwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 12
    So Qualcomm is telling the German officials they’re not properly doing their jobs?
    jbdragonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 12
    AppleExposedAppleExposed Posts: 1,805unconfirmed, member
    Hurry up Apple!

    Make your own sh**.
    dedgeckobshankwatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 12
    metrixmetrix Posts: 256member
    Does Qualcomm have a PR person at all? If they do they should fire him. Wait never mind he's good.
    edited January 2019 watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 12
    QC does need to understand what the Single Market is all about. So what if they get a ban on some old iPhones in Germany... Germans can buy them from France, Austria and other EU countries without issue. They can go passport free to any of the othe countries in the Euro Zone put some Euro's down on the counter and walk out of the Apple Store with a phone.

    If QC are serious about going after Apple then they really need to go for an EU wide ban. Good luck getting that.
    bshankolsjbdragonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 12
    Is this the same case where Apple (and I'm completely paraphrasing here) basically said they aren't infringing and had the evidence but lawyers for Qualcomm would not to agree to keeping Qorvo's IP confidential so the evidence was not submitted?
    radarthekatwatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 12
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,136member
    I'm so looking forward to watching QC change its tune when Apple successfully appeals the ban.  QC will be asked to hold its ankles and hope that Apple is gentle.

    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 12
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,935member
    In few words, Qualcomm is desperate and will do anything including self destruction.
    radarthekatwatto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 12
    metrix said:
    Does Qualcomm have a PR person at all? If they do they should fire him. Wait never mind he's good.
    Yes, it's called Definers Public Affairs. https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/22/tim-cook-for-president-and-other-campaigns-from-qualcomms-pr-bulldog
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 12
    Is this the same case where Apple (and I'm completely paraphrasing here) basically said they aren't infringing and had the evidence but lawyers for Qualcomm would not to agree to keeping Qorvo's IP confidential so the evidence was not submitted?
    Yep.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 12
    Is this the same case where Apple (and I'm completely paraphrasing here) basically said they aren't infringing and had the evidence but lawyers for Qualcomm would not to agree to keeping Qorvo's IP confidential so the evidence was not submitted?
    Yep.
    SAD, two giant American tech slugging it out....they should be working together or hostile takeover on one another. Hehe
    watto_cobra
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