These four patents deal with the autofocus mode of digital cameras, while at the same time serving as a functional strategy for mobile phones and personal digital assistants, touch display screens and storage circuits, all of which are related to Qualcomm's patent litigation initiated by Apple in the California Federal Court of Justice in 2017. Aspects believe that these four patents are not innovative.
In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm’s monopoly of the wireless chip market in the California court and filed a nearly one billion US dollar claim against Qualcomm.
A spokesman for Qualcomm declined to comment.
Apple often appeals through the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeals Committee. Compared with the courts, the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeals Committee has relatively simple statutory standards and procedures. It often identifies invalid patents in patent infringement disputes. According to the committee's data, Apple 398 applications have been submitted to the agency.
The three judges of the committee will investigate the matter and make a preliminary ruling. Thereafter a formal investigation will be initiated and a final ruling will be made within a year.
Recently, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) is holding a hearing on the case of Qualcomm suing Apple for patent infringement. Qualcomm approved three iPhone infringements for importing iPhone products that use Intel's baseband chips to the US market. ITC initially determined that Apple has one. The patent was allegedly infringed.
In the past month or two, the lawsuits of Qualcomm and Apple have mainly focused on patent litigation. The initiator is Qualcomm. This is also regarded as a counterattack by Qualcomm after Apple launched a lawsuit against multiple parties in its licensing model. Currently, Qualcomm is Patent litigation may take the initiative, Apple's countermeasures are through invalid patent applications.
In the United States, the legal battle surrounding the two giants has involved the federal court, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the US International Trade Commission (ITC), and now Apple pulls the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). In the battlefield, whether it is a patent litigation or a monopolistic action, it will take a lot of time. Both sides are accumulating chips before finally returning to the negotiation table.