The ex parte order is therefore the best defense for Apple against Ericsson’s lawsuits and puts the onus on Qualcomm to prove that it had it’s paper work in order vis-a-vis the licensing agreement.
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For later iPhones, however, Apple is reportedly weighing up other modem chip suppliers for future models – with Intel being a possible leader. Interestingly, however, the report claims that Intel could be awarded partial modem orders for 2017’s iPhone models – presumably the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus – as Apple looks to further diversify its supply chain. Specifically, Apple seeks documents regarding whether Qualcomm had or has a license or is or was otherwise authorized to practice some or all of the patents that have been asserted by Ericsson against Apple.
Ericsson claims its right to patents that are crucial for LTE (Long Term Evolution) and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) cellular standards.
“We now believe that Intel will capture roughly 50% of Apple’s modem business in the upcoming iPhones due to launch September 9th”. Ericsson’s accusations pertain to the chips used in various Apple devices such as iPhone and iPads; these chips are supplied by Qualcomm.
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Various media outlets have quoted a Northland Capital Markets analyst as saying that Intel had won part of the modem business in the next-generation iPhones scheduled tfor launch in September. “The only role I can see for Intel’s modem would be a second tier phone like an iPhone 5c replacement, which could be reasonable volume, but at a much lower average selling price”. It is still unclear whether Apple is sending a message to Qualcomm to comply with the discovery to avoid losing its modem business. I don’t know, but the timing of this latest EX PARTE request from Apple being in sync with this latest rumor is oddly convenient. Comments are reviewed daily from 4am to 6pm PST and sporadically over the weekend.
