Qualcomm used illegal anti-competitive practices to license modem patents for mobile phones.
This conclusion was made by Judge Lucy Koh of the San Jose District Court in the course of the trial in the case initiated in connection with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit, which accused the chipmaker of using a dominant market position to apply anti-competitive licensing practices.
In the 230-page ruling, Lucy Koch detailed a list of practices that she says Qualcomm used, thanks to its market dominance, to drive out competitors and force mobile phone makers to pay more for their patents.
"Qualcomm's licensing practices have stifled competition in the CDMA and premium LTE modem chip markets for years, hurting competitors, OEMs and end consumers," Koch said in her ruling.
The judge ordered Qualcomm to renegotiate licensing agreements with customers, not using the threat of supply cuts as part of its tactics, at fair and reasonable prices, adding that the company will be monitored for seven years to ensure it meets the above requirements.
Source: 3dnews.ru