Apple Escapes iPhone Import Ban in Second Qualcomm Case

Apple Inc. escaped a possible import ban of its iconic iPhone after a U.S. trade agency rejected a patent-infringement claim filed by Qualcomm Inc. in the second of two cases before the U.S. International Trade Commission.

A Qualcomm patent for a battery-saving feature is invalid, the commission said in a notice on its website. The decision sidesteps an argument over whether an import ban would curb Intel’s move into the market for modem chips and give foreign competitors a lead in fifth-generation wireless technology.

The decision came just hours after a separate ITC judge said Apple infringed a different Qualcomm patent. That case also is subject to review by the full commission, which is expected to complete that investigation by July.

Apple Says It’s Pleased with Patent Decision against Qualcomm

Here is Apple Inc.’s statement on Tuesday, 26 March 2019 ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission, which invalidated one Qualcomm Inc .patent after a judge in a separate case at the agency said Apple infringed on another:

We’re pleased the ITC has found Qualcomm’s latest patent claims invalid. It’s another important step to making sure American companies are able to compete fairly in the marketplace. Qualcomm is using these cases to distract from having to answer for the real issues, their monopolistic business practices. They are being investigated by governments around the world for their behavior, and we look forward to detailing the many ways they’re harming consumers and stifling innovation when we present our case in San Diego next month.