US Supreme Court Refuses To Accept Apple Inc Offer In Patent Case Against Qualcomm

Apple again lost in a patent case against Qualcomm. (photo: doc. pixabay)

JAKARTA - The US Supreme Court rejected Apple Inc.'s offer for a trial verdict on two patent cases filed by Qualcomm (US Patent No. 7.844.037 and US Patent No. 8.683.362). Both are part of a lawsuit filed in 2017, claiming infringement by Apple Inc.'s iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

The Reuters report suggests that Apple and Qualcomm's 2019 settlement of a worldwide legal battle over these patents has largely ended the spat in favor of a six-year licensing agreement but allowed the case before the Patent Court and the Patent and Trademark Office's Appeals Council to go ahead.

There, Apple argued that both patents should be invalid, but the board decided to support Qualcomm's claims.

Last April, a Federal Circuit court rejected Apple's appeal based on a 2019 settlement covering thousands of patents, including both. At the time, Apple argued that royalty payments and the risk of being sued again were grounds for trial.

In its appeal to the Supreme Court, Apple argued that Qualcomm could use the patent in the lawsuit again after the license expires in 2025 or in 2027 if it is extended.

The Justice Department under the Joe Biden administration filed an amicus brief rejecting the argument in May. They also asked the Supreme Court to reject Apple's request.