This year Qualcomm was accused by the Apple company of non-competitive practices for the way they require the purchase of licenses for the sale of some products. Apple also complained to the American authorities, who initiated a process through which they try to obtain bans and fines against those from Qualcomm for its practices.
Qualcomm filed a response to the subpoena filed by the American authorities, but it was recently rejected by the court that is hearing this case. Moreover, those from Samsung have joined the complaint and are on the side of Apple, accusing Qualcomm of forcing them to buy licenses they do not need.
In the documentation submitted by those from Samsung, the Korean company claims that Qualcomm does indeed have non-competitive practices. She claims that Qualcomm violates the FRAND legislation regarding some patents it owns, but also the Sherman law because it eliminates competition between modem manufacturers for mobile terminals.
Basically, Qualcomm is now being attacked by the biggest smartphone manufacturers, and in front of them, it will not really have a way to win, except through a compromise. If Samsung had not been on Apple's side in this fight, then Qualcomm would have had a chance to prove that it is not wrong, but now, Qualcomm seems to be in an impossible situation.
"This case presents a simple question: By excluding would-be competitors from making and selling licensed chipsets and cementing its market power by forcing downstream customers to accept onerous licensing terms, has Qualcomm harmed competition? As the Complaint makes clear, the answer is yes–not only does this conduct violate Qualcomm's FRAND commitments, but it also contravenes the Sherman Act by eliminating competition."
