Apple backs four manufacturing partners in suing Qualcomm

As part of its ongoing fight with Qualcomm, Apple is backing four of its manufacturing partners in their antitrust fight against the chip maker, Reuters reports. Foxconn, Wistron, Pegatron and Compal Electronics have accused Qualcomm of violating US antitrust law in response to Qualcomm’s attempt to force the companies to pay royalties that Apple told them to stop paying. “Qualcomm has confirmed publicly that this lawsuit against our clients is intended to make a point about Apple and punish our clients for working with Apple,” said Theodore J. Boutrous, a lawyer representing all four companies. “The companies are bringing their own claims and defenses against Qualcomm.”
Qualcomm sued the Apple suppliers in May, after Apple suspended all licensing payments to Qualcomm. A “senior Apple offical” has admitted his compamny is helping foot the bill for its partners’ legal defense and has formally joined the case as a defendant. But regardless of the merits of Apple’s case, Qualcomm President Derek Aberle said his company is clearly owed royalties from the suppliers. “Despite Apple’s claims against Qualcomm, Apple suppliers remain contractually obligated to pay royalties to Qualcomm under their license agreements with us, including for sales of iPhones to Apple,” Aberle said.