SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has expanded its legal battle against Qualcomm, accusing the US chipmaker of charging for invalid patents in the latest twist in the clash between the two tech giants.
In legal filings in a federal court in California on Tuesday, Apple claimed that several Qualcomm patents were invalid because they conflict with existing patents, while other patents were not essential for cellphone communications, according to details of the lawsuit reported by The Wall Street Journal.
In January the iPhone maker filed a lawsuit complaining that Qualcomm — which produces chips widely used in smartphones and tablets around the world — abused its market power to demand unfair royalties and demanded billions of dollars in compensation.
Apple filed two similar complaints against Qualcomm in China days later.
However, Qualcomm countersued in April, claiming that Apple breached agreements and encouraged regulatory attacks worldwide on Qualcomm.
“Qualcomm’s illegal business practices are harming Apple and the entire industry,” Apple said in an email Tuesday to AFP.
“They supply us with a single connectivity component, but for years have been demanding a percentage of the total cost of our products — effectively taxing Apple’s innovation.”
Qualcomm, in a statement by legal counsel Don Rosenberg, denied the accusations.
Apple “knows well” that “Qualcomm’s innovations are at the heart of every iPhone and enable the most important uses and features of those devices,” Rosenberg said.
“It simply is untrue that Qualcomm is seeking to collect royalties for Apple innovations that have nothing to do with Qualcomm’s technology.”
In January, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hit Qualcomm with an antitrust suit alleging it abused its dominant market position for processors, resulting in higher prices for consumers.
The complaint said Qualcomm’s practices amount to “unlawful maintenance of a monopoly in baseband processors,” which are devices that enable cellular communications in phones and other products. Qualcomm rejected the claims as “flawed.”
The San Diego, California, group in 2015 agreed to pay $975 million to settle antitrust charges in China.
Qualcomm is challenging a EU competition inquiry, which could result in a fine of up to 10 percent of its annual sales, which amounted to $26.5 billion in 2015.
Apple opens new round in battle with Qualcomm
Apple opens new round in battle with Qualcomm
BYD Americas CEO hails Middle East as ‘homeland for innovation’
- In an interview on the sidelines of Davos, Stella Li highlighted the region’s openness to new technologies and opportunities for growth
DAVOS: BYD Americas CEO Stella Li described the Middle East as a “homeland for innovation” during an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
The executive of the Chinese electric vehicle giant highlighted the region’s openness to new technologies and opportunities for growth.
“The people (are) very open. And then from the government, from everybody there, they are open to enjoy the technology,” she said.
BYD has accelerated its expansion of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids across the Middle East and North Africa region, with a strong focus on Gulf Cooperation Council countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
GCC EV markets, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, rank among the world’s fastest-growing. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been aggressively investing in the EV sector, backing Lucid Motors, launching its brand Ceer, and supporting charging infrastructure development.
However, EVs still account for just over 1 percent of total car sales, as high costs, limited charging infrastructure, and extreme weather remain challenges.
In summer 2025, BYD announced it was aiming to triple its Saudi footprint following Tesla’s entry, targeting 5,000 EV sales and 10 showrooms by late 2026.
“We commit a lot of investment there (in the region),” Li noted, adding that the company is building a robust dealer network and introducing cutting-edge technology.
Discussing growth plans, she envisioned Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East as a potential “dreamland” for innovation — what she described as a regional “Silicon Valley.”
Talking about the EV ambitions of the Saudi government, she said: “If they set up (a) target, they will make (it) happen. Then they need a technology company like us to support their … 2030 Vision.”
