Qualcomm escalated its legal battle with Apple on Thursday by asking the federal government to ban the import of iPhones using its technologies.
The San Diego-based wireless giant asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to halt the import and sale of iPhones that infringe on one or more of six patents covering key technologies.
The popular iPhone series of devices are assembled in China using U.S. components and technologies and imported for sale here.
“Qualcomm’s inventions are at the heart of every iPhone and extend well beyond modem technologies or cellular standards,” said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel of Qualcomm. “The patents we are asserting represent six important technologies, out of a portfolio of thousands, and each is vital to iPhone functions.”
“Apple continues to use Qualcomm’s technology while refusing to pay for it,” he added.
Apple sued Qualcomm for $1 billion in January, and has been withholding royalty payments ever since.
Qualcomm said the technologies covered by the six patents are not required for any industry standard but have been specifically chosen by Apple to boost performance and extend battery life.
The company also filed a complaint against Apple in the U.S. District Court in Southern California seeking damages and injunctive relief.
The announcement was made after the stock market’s close, but Qualcomm shares gained slightly in after-hours trading.
