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Qualcomm posts $1.5 billion bond to enforce German court decision on iPhone sales

Qualcomm and Apple are involved in an ongoing patent infringement case

Last month courts  in China and Germany agreed with Qualcomm’s allegation that some Apple iPhone models contain technology that infringes on Qualcomm intellectual property. Both courts ruled that Apple has to stop importing, selling and offering for sale several iPhone models with China issuing a preliminary injunction and Germany handing down a permanent injunction.

In order to enforce the injunctions, Qualcomm has to post bonds that would serve to cover Apple’s losses in the event that a higher court reveres the injunction. This week the San Diego-based chipmaker shelled out $1.52 billion to move forward with enforcement of the German injunction.

The Chinese decisions covers iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, although devices remain on shelves as Apple said it solved the problem through a software upgrade. In Germany, some models have been pulled from Apple stores but are still available through other channels.

Apple signaled it would appeal the German decision but, in the meantime, has pulled iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 from its retail locations in the country.

For Apple the timing isn’t great. Since October the company has lost more than $400 billion in value. As Business Insider put it in a recent headline, “Apple’s value has fallen by more than Facebook’s entire worth.”

ABOUT AUTHOR

Sean Kinney, Editor in Chief
Sean Kinney, Editor in Chief
Sean focuses on multiple subject areas including 5G, Open RAN, hybrid cloud, edge computing, and Industry 4.0. He also hosts Arden Media's podcast Will 5G Change the World? Prior to his work at RCR, Sean studied journalism and literature at the University of Mississippi then spent six years based in Key West, Florida, working as a reporter for the Miami Herald Media Company. He currently lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas.