Qualcomm seeks US import ban on Apple iPhone

Qualcomm has filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) which claims Apple is infringing six of its patents enabling various features.

The complaint is just another footnote in the Qualcomm battle against the iChief, though it doesn’t look like the bickering is going to end any time soon. The chipmaker has requested an investigation from the ITC which could lead to a ban on certain iPhones being imported into the US, as well as the sale of said phones.

If you are into the legal jargon, a ‘Limited Exclusion Order’ will prevent the Asia-assembled phones from entering the US, while a simultaneously sought ‘Cease and Desist Order’ would prevent the sale of the phones which have already crossed the US border.

“Qualcomm’s inventions are at the heart of every iPhone and extend well beyond modem technologies or cellular standards,” said Don Rosenberg, General Counsel of Qualcomm. “The patents we are asserting represent six important technologies, out of a portfolio of thousands, and each is vital to iPhone functions.  Apple continues to use Qualcomm’s technology while refusing to pay for it. These lawsuits seek to stop Apple’s infringement of six of our patented technologies.”

The six patents in question enable high performance in a smartphone while extending battery life. Each of the patents does so in a different way for different popular smartphone features. Qualcomm has even been kind enough to detail the patents below.

Although it yet another example of the battle between two technology giants escalating, the short-term impact to the iLeader is likely to be minimal. Should the ITC consider it pertinent to conduct the investigation, this would take months. Apple generally launches a flagship in September, meaning it will probably get away with it this year, and most likely next year, if evidence of the speed of such bureaucrats is maintained.

So for all those members of the iCult around the world, don’t sweat into your green t-shirt just yet, you’ll be able to bash your iDrum and swallow the iEurphoria for a while yet. Here’s some more info from Qualcomm on the patents in question.