Qualcomm Wants iPhones Banned In The US Over Apple Lawsuit

With many fans eagerly awaiting the release of the iPhone 8, anything that might hinder the next iPhone craze is bound to be received poorly. Unfortunately for rabid enthusiasts of Apple’s flagship product, giant chip maker Qualcomm is about to rain on their parade. In a new development regarding the lawsuit between the two companies, an iPhone ban could be the result.

The ban hinges on a victory on the part of Qualcomm in its legal battle against Apple, CNET reports. If the chipmaker wins, it is planning on filing a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) with regards to alleged patent infringements committed by the iPhone maker.

According to Qualcomm, this should, therefore, be grounds for the ITC to ban the import and sale of iPhone devices in the US, which could adversely affect the iPhone 7 and future versions of the device. The ban might even affect iPads since some of those units are also running on Qualcomm’s patented technology.

Fortunately, it doesn’t look like a ban is going to happen anytime soon if the ITC does decide on going along with Qualcomm’s demands. The commission would first look at the case and start examining it in August. If everything proceeds without a hitch, the ban could take effect at around 18 months from now.

Just to drive the point home that Apple owes its iPhones’ success to Qualcomm, the company also provided an infographic to support its case. The visual offering goes through the six patents owned by the company and what Apple is using them for.

The crux of the argument that Qualcomm is trying to make is Apple’s refusal to pay the company its due while enjoying the benefits of its technology. Naturally, the chip maker sees this as a bit unfair and would like to be compensated accordingly.