For the past two years, Apple has been embroiled in a worldwide legal battle with Qualcomm. The dispute started at the beginning of 2017 when Apple sued Qualcomm for $1 billion. Apple claimed that the chip manufacturer had been charging excessive amounts for the use of its patents, which Apple argued was anti-competitive because it’s almost impossible to make a smartphone without them. Apple also claimed that Qualcomm was withholding $1 billion it was owed because it had cooperated with a South Korean investigation into the company.
The legal battle has continued ever since, and both companies are now fighting various proxy wars across the world. Qualcomm has tried to get Apple’s phones banned in the US, Germany, and China, and both companies have sued and countersued each other over numerous supposed patent violations. Qualcomm has even accused Apple of sharing its code with rival modem manufacturer Intel.
In the background, there could be an even bigger challenge for Qualcomm, which is also being sued by the Federal Trade Commission over alleged anti-competitive practices. The company has already been fined by regulators in China, South Korea, Taiwan, and the EU over the way it licenses its patents.
The battle is showing no sign of slowing, so read on for all of the latest news on this lengthy legal fight.
Jun 27, 2022, 6:44 PM UTCRichard Lawler
Supreme Court rejects Apple’s bid to continue fighting over two Qualcomm patents
Qualcomm had sued Apple for infringement with its iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
Jul 25, 2019, 8:02 PM UTCJon Porter
Apple buys Intel’s smartphone modem business
Taking its modems in house
Apr 17, 2019, 1:58 PM UTCJon Porter
Five big questions about Apple and Qualcomm’s surprise settlement
When and how is Apple going to make its first 5G iPhone?
Apr 16, 2019, 11:51 PM UTCNick Statt
Intel says it will exit the 5G phone business as Apple and Qualcomm strike multiyear deal
This is likely why Apple and Qualcomm settled
Mar 26, 2019, 7:12 PM UTCNick Statt
Judge recommends import ban on iPhones after latest Apple vs. Qualcomm verdict
The latest turn of the screw in Apple and Qualcomm’s legal battle
Feb 14, 2019, 10:44 AM UTCJon Porter
Apple’s workaround to Qualcomm patent woes in Germany is to use Qualcomm chips
‘We have no choice but to stop using Intel chips’
Jan 14, 2019, 8:23 PM UTCShannon Liao
Apple says Qualcomm refused to sell it chips for the latest iPhones
Business gone bad
Jan 4, 2019, 2:01 PM UTCChaim Gartenberg
Apple stops selling iPhone 7 and 8 in its German stores following Qualcomm court win
The latest development in the ongoing battle between Apple and Qualcomm
Dec 20, 2018, 6:53 PM UTCChaim Gartenberg
Apple will pull older iPhones from its German stores after Qualcomm wins partial ban
The latest shot in the ongoing dispute
Dec 19, 2018, 5:11 PM UTCJon Porter
Apple tweaks iOS animation in China in attempt to avoid sales ban
The company thinks a software fix can resolve its Qualcomm dispute
Dec 14, 2018, 9:53 AM UTCJon Porter
Apple plans iPhone software update to reverse Chinese ban
Qualcomm is unlikely to be satisfied
Dec 12, 2018, 6:52 PM UTCChaim Gartenberg
Looks like Apple’s making its own modem to compete with Qualcomm
Apple may be leaving Intel behind in search of better performance
Dec 10, 2018, 3:31 PM UTCChaim Gartenberg
Qualcomm wins court injunction banning Apple from importing older iPhones in China
Apple says all iPhones are still available in China
Dec 1, 2018, 7:34 PM UTCAndrew Liptak
Judge sets trial date for Qualcomm’s lawsuit against Apple
Qualcomm claims that Apple stole proprietary code and gave it to Intel
Nov 6, 2018, 9:59 PM UTCJacob Kastrenakes
Qualcomm must license patents to competing chipmakers, court rules
Ruling is part of larger battle with FTC over anti-competitive practices
Sep 25, 2018, 8:35 PM UTCJacob Kastrenakes
Blockbuster Qualcomm lawsuit claims Apple stole modem tech and gave it to Intel
Aug 10, 2018, 3:21 PM UTCMakena Kelly
Qualcomm and Taiwanese regulators settle $774 million antitrust suit
The regulative body claimed that Qualcomm abused its chip-making market position
Jul 25, 2018, 10:40 PM UTCNick Statt
Apple will exclusively use Intel modems in 2018 iPhones, according to Qualcomm
It’s official: Apple and Qualcomm have broken up
Jan 24, 2018, 10:57 AM UTCJames Vincent
Qualcomm fined $1.2 billion by the EU for paying off Apple
The company abused its position to make sure no-one else could bid for Apple contracts, says the EU
Nov 30, 2017, 9:33 PM UTCJacob Kastrenakes
Qualcomm is trying to ban the iPhone X used by AT&T and T-Mobile
Nov 29, 2017, 3:33 PM UTCJacob Kastrenakes
Apple claims Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors use its patented technology
Nov 2, 2017, 6:26 PM UTCChaim Gartenberg
Qualcomm sues Apple, accusing it of sharing chip code with Intel
Another lawsuit in the ongoing fight
Oct 11, 2017, 9:53 PM UTCJacob Kastrenakes
Qualcomm fined $774 million for abusing monopoly on smartphone modems in Taiwan
It intends to appeal