The legal battle between Apple and Qualcomm continues to drag on. The latest news is a recommendation from the United States International Trade Commission that a trade judge find Apple guilty of infringing upon at least one of Qualcomm’s patents.
Reuters reported that this decision from ITC doesn’t necessarily constitute a ruling, but stands as a suggestion for judges. In the majority of cases, however, the judges follow what the ITC decides.
Chipmaker Qualcomm has suggested an import ban on infringing iPhones in the hopes that such a ban – or even the threat of one – would push Apple to either settle or drop the legal war against them.
At present, the two parties are engaged in a number of legal battles over patents, licensing, and contracts so given the extent of the case, a decision isn’t expected until January 2019.
The patent in question relates to battery-saving technology, with Apple arguing that Qualcomm’s patents are invalid. Apple also says that Qualcomm is attempting to use ITC as a tool to perpetuate its “ill-gotten monopoly position.”
Qualcomm, on the other hand, says that practices are legal and have been accepted by customers “for many years as the smartphone industry boomed.”
The ITC doesn’t have the final word, but this could spell trouble for Apple as the case continues.