Apple Sues Qualcomm over Royalties, Qualcomm shoots back

Recently, Apple had filed a lawsuit against its partner Qualcomm alleging that the mobile chipmaker had used its monopoly power to push for “onerous, unreasonable and costly” licensing terms.

Apple had stated that Qualcomm had prevented it from looking for chips from other suppliers between 2011 and 2016. Apple had used Qualcomm's baseband chips in the iPhone and iPad. In the lawsuit, Apple is seeking $1 billion in rebate payments which says Qualcomm has withheld since Apple met with Korea's fair trade regulatory body last year.

Apple's lawsuit arrives just days after the US Federal Trade Commission sued Qualcomm over what it called aggressive and unfair business practices. The government, in particular, said Qualcomm had taken advantage of Apple and others with its licensing terms.

Qualcomm has denied the allegations. "While we are still in the process of reviewing the complaint in detail, it is quite clear that Apple's claims are baseless. Apple has intentionally mischaracterized our agreements and negotiations, as well as the enormity and value of the technology we have invented, contributed and shared with all mobile device makers through our licensing program," said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel, Qualcomm. In addition to the FTC complaint, Qualcomm was recently sued by the Korean government over similar claims.