US: Qualcomm sues China’s Meizu for patent infringement

Qualcomm is suing a Chinese smartphone maker backed by online-shopping giant Alibaba Group Holding, in the latest patent-infringement case involving technology companies.

The US chip maker said it has filed a complaint in a Beijing court against Meizu Technology Co. over its alleged violation of intellectual property.

Qualcomm’s litigation against Meizu, in which Alibaba holds a stake, is part of the US company’s attempt to protect its licensing business in the world’s largest smartphone market, where it has faced regulatory challenges in recent years including an antitrust investigation by Beijing. Since Qualcomm reached a settlement with Chinese authorities last year and agreed to pay a fine, the chip maker has signed patent-licensing agreements with a number of Chinese clients, including Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp.

“Meizu is choosing to use [Qualcomm’s] technologies without a license, which is not only unlawful, but is unfair to other licensees that are acting in good faith and respectful of patent rights, and ultimately damaging to the mobile ecosystem and consumers,” said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel of Qualcomm, in a statement.

Full Content: NY Post

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.