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San Diego-based Qualcomm wants to block sales of some iPhones

Posted at 5:06 PM, Nov 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-01 10:16:04-05

(KGTV) - When it comes to iPhones, Apple may get the glory, but San Diego-based Qualcomm says it's not getting the credit, and cash, it deserves.

Qualcomm is asking the U.S. International Trade Commission to block Apple from selling its smartphones that don't utilize Qualcomm's chips. It's because Qualcomm says Apple isn't paying royalties on technologies that it says it played a key role in developing - like depth-sensing cameras and saving battery power.

"They've been paying for the use of those technologies for 10 years and up until earlier this year decided that they weren't going to pay for those any longer," said Qualcomm spokeswoman Christine Trimble.

RELATED: Report: Apple dropping Qualcomm technology from next iPhones, iPads

Apple didn't return a call seeking comment.

The two companies have been in a legal dispute since January, when Apple sued Qualcomm saying it was demanding royalties it didn't deserve.

Qualcomm filed three motions in Federal Court this week seeking monetary damages, saying that Apple infringed on 16 patents.

RELATED: San Diego-based Qualcomm rejects Broadcom's purchase offer

The company's request to the International Trade Commission could get iPhones like the ones with Intel chips blocked from being sold in the U.S. In a statement to the ITC, Apple said it wouldn't raise iPhone prices because of lower supply and high demand.

"Any demand for the products that would be subject to the requested remedial orders could be filled by Apple mobile electronic devices that include Qualcomm brand baseband processor modems," Qualcomm's statement said.

The commission is scheduled to hear the case next September, with it being decided in January. President Donald Trump could veto any decision made.