Key Developments For Qualcomm Incorporated
Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM.O) (Nasdaq)
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Withdraws Complaint With European Commission Against QUALCOMM Inc.'s WCDMA (3G) Licensing Activities
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson announced that it has withdrawn its complaint to the European Commission regarding QUALCOMM Inc.'s WCDMA (3G) licensing activities. Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson will, however, continue its ongoing dialogue with competition authorities around the world in relation to Qualcomm's licensing practices. Ericsson's goal remains the same: To ensure a robust, enforceable and fair IPR regime for standards, particularly those relating to 3G and 4G wireless technologies. In October 2005, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Nokia, Broadcom, Panasonic, NEC and Texas Instruments filed coordinated complaints alleging that Qualcomm was both violating antitrust laws and breaching its own commitments to standard-setting bodies to license its declared essential patents on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. In support of these complaints, the companies have filed substantial economic evidence that Qualcomm's conduct has caused mobile phone users to pay billions of Euros in unnecessary costs. In parallel with the investigation by the European Commission, antitrust authorities in other jurisdictions initiated investigations against Qualcomm. As a result, the Korean Fair Trade Commission imposed orders concerning Qualcomm's restrictive practices and imposed the highest fine in its history on Qualcomm.
QUALCOMM Inc.'s New Gobi2000 Technology To Deliver 3G Connectivity In Lenovo ThinkPad Laptops
QUALCOMM Inc. and Lenovo Group announced that Lenovo will incorporate Qualcomm's new Gobi2000 technology into upcoming ThinkPad laptops in the X, T and W Series beginning in 2010 to enable global 3G connectivity. The Gobi-equipped laptops will provide business users with extensive wireless broadband access both domestically and internationally by leveraging the wide availability of both EV-DO and HSPA wireless networks around the world.
QUALCOMM Inc. And MediaTek Incorporated Enter Into Patent Arrangement
QUALCOMM Inc. and MediaTek Incorporated announced that they have entered into a broad patent arrangement under each company's patent portfolios, including CDMA and WCDMA essential patents, with respect to all integrated circuit products, including CDMA and WCDMA products. MediaTek Incorporated's customers do not receive rights to any of QUALCOMM Inc.'s patents and such customers will need to obtain a separate license from QUALCOMM Inc. in order to receive rights to any of QUALCOMM Inc.'s patents. QUALCOMM Inc.'s customers do not receive rights to any of MediaTek Incorporated's patents and such customers will need to obtain a separate license from MediaTek in order to receive rights to any of MediaTek Incorporated's patents. The remainder of the terms of the arrangement are confidential.
LG Licenses QUALCOMM Inc. For 4G Technology-Reuters
Reuters reported that QUALCOMM Inc. said LG Electronics Co Ltd is one of three major phone makers that agreed to license its 4G high-speed wireless technology, solidifying its position in the mobile market for years.
QUALCOMM Inc. Streamlines Development of Brew Mobile Platform Phones To Market Through Collaboration With Mobile Software Technology Providers
QUALCOMM Inc. announced that it is working with mobile software providers to optimize their solutions for the Company's Brew Mobile Platform (Brew MP) operating system, streamlining the process of commercializing new devices that offer a wide range of compelling software applications. These software components - such as Java virtual machines, device management, browsers, multimedia, instant messaging and calendar applications will be pre-integrated with Brew MP so that developers can distribute applications to mobile device manufacturers prior to market launch of new handsets in an effort to reduce their development time and cost. The first Brew MP handsets are expected to launch beginning next year.
