Qualcomm seems to be in no mood to stop its legal battle against Apple as the chip maker freshly accuses Apple of stealing software and tools to improve chips from its rival Intel. Qualcomm is asking the judge to include the consideration of the latest accusations to a case between the two in state court in California. The suit is due to go to trial in April next year.
With this new accusation, the total suits and counter suits between Qualcomm and Apple are now more than 70 across the globe. On the other hand, Apple is fighting legally with Qualcomm accusing it of illegally using dominance of the market to force it to pay unfair technology licensing fees. Qualcomm in response said that Apple is stealing its intellectual property and the legal assault is really a commercial dispute aimed at securing lower prices to increase profitability.
Apple currently uses Intel modems, chips exclusively to connect smartphones to cellular networks to access data and voice, in the latest versions of the iPhone. Qualcomm accuses Apple of helping Intel engineers to fine-tune the modems to improve performance using Qualcomm’s software and tools. That’s in breach of the terms of the licenses of that software provided to Apple when the company used Qualcomm modems and is the basis for damage claims.
Qualcomm said it gave the software and tools to Apple with strict restrictions, however, Apple demanded access to make updates to the software that runs the chips in order to make them work better in the iPhone, Qualcomm said. An Intel spokesman declined to comment, while Apple spokesperson referred to the company’s earlier comments by saying: “Qualcomm’s illegal business practices are harming Apple and the entire industry. 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.”