Published in PC Hardware

Qualcomm wants to know which rat squealed to the watchdogs

by on12 January 2016


Applies for court documents

Qualcomm is very interested who ratted it out to the Korean anti-trust authroities and has asked seven of its major customers and rivals to hand over the paperwork of what they told the watchdogs.

On the list are Apple and Samsung who all buy Qualcomm gear and should have had a nice thing or two  to say about the San Diego-based chip maker but appear to be insisting on a court order.

Qualcomm filed applications in U.S. federal court for subpoenas that would allow Qualcomm to seek documents or other evidence from seven major customers and competitors. In addition to Apple and Samsung, Qualcomm also hopes to compel Intel, Texas Instruments, Broadcom, Via Technologies and the U.S arm of MediaTek to hand over documents.

The chip vendor said the documents could help it prepare for antitrust hearings in South Korea that are likely to begin in the next several months. Qualcomm is accused of violating Korean law through its licensing practices and may be forced to change certain business practices and face fines.

Regulators said Qualcomm doesn't properly negotiate aspects of its licenses, and that some of its policies for licensing patents violate South Korean competition law.

Qualcomm is currently undergoing two formal antitrust investigations by the European Commission. And in February 2015 it agreed to pay a $975 million fine and change its licensing practices to settle a Chinese antitrust investigation.

Last modified on 12 January 2016
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