Apple has announced that it will no longer use graphics chips from UK based Imagination Technologies for its iPhone. The company will not use Imagination Technologies’ intellectual property in its new products in 15 months to two years time, and as such will not be eligible for royalty payments under the current license and royalty agreement.
The company has used Imagination Technologies’ Graphics Processor Units (“GPUs”) in its phones, tablets, iPods, TVs and watches. Apple has asserted that it has been working on a separate, independent graphics design in order to control its products and will be reducing its future reliance on Imagination’s technology. Imagination, however, said it doubted that Apple could go it alone without violating Imagination’ patents, intellectual property and confidential information.
Imagination said in a press statement,
Apple has not presented any evidence to substantiate its assertion that it will no longer require Imagination’s technology, without violating Imagination’s patents, intellectual property and confidential information. This evidence has been requested by Imagination but Apple has declined to provide it. Further, Imagination believes that it would be extremely challenging to design a brand new GPU architecture from basics without infringing its intellectual property rights, accordingly Imagination does not accept Apple’s assertions.