Qualcomm and Apple at legal loggerheads over theft claims

Qualcomm added yet another layer to its ongoing legal battle with Apple by accusing the iPhone maker of stealing software and tools to help improve chips from rival Intel.

The chipmaker is asking a judge to add consideration of the latest accusations to a case between the two in state court in California, according to filings obtained by Bloomberg that weren’t immediately available online. The suit is due to go to trial in April next year.

Legal fight

Qualcomm’s assertions are the latest wrinkle in more than 70 suits and counter suits between the two spanning the globe.

Apple started the legal fight by accusing its former supplier of illegally using dominance of the market for phone processors and modems to force it to pay unfair technology-licensing fees. Qualcomm has responded by saying Apple is stealing its intellectual property and the legal assault is really a commercial dispute aimed at securing lower prices to increase profitability. – Bloomberg