Qualcomm tries to block iPhone imports with patent action

Phone chip maker Qualcomm started two significant legal moves today to attack Apple. It initiated a complaint to the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) claiming that imports of iPhones - manufactured in China - should be blocked, and started a patent infringement lawsuit in California. Qualcomm claims that Apple infringes six recent patents relating to power management.

The patents infringed are not the usual fodder of patent trolls. They are all recently filed and all Qualcomm's own work. The ITC has the power to stop Apple importing any devices if the claim is upheld, and Apple will need to go to court to get the ban lifted if it is imposed. Given the complexity of patent actions, that would be a serious problem for Apple.

The hostility continues the bad relationship the two companies have suffered for quite some time, and the likely outcome will be Apple taking a significant hit to purchase patent licenses.