Qualcomm Hits Chinese Phone Maker With Patent Infringement Complaint

Qualcomm said it filed a patent infringement complaint against Chinese smartphone maker Meizu in Beijing Intellectual Property Court. The complaint seeks rulings that terms of a patent license offered by Qualcomm to Meizu comply with China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (AML), and Qualcomm’s “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory licensing obligations,” said Qualcomm Friday. The complaint also seeks a ruling setting a basis for a patent license with Meizu for Qualcomm technology used in 3G and 4G mobile devices. Meizu has been expanding its business through the use of Qualcomm intellectual property without compensating the company, Qualcomm said. More than 100 other Chinese companies have accepted a rectification plan submitted by Qualcomm and accepted by China’s National Development and Reform Commission last year after the NDRC found that Qualcomm had violated the AML. “Qualcomm’s technologies are at the heart of all mobile devices," said Qualcomm General Counsel Don Rosenberg: "Meizu is choosing to use these technologies without a license, which is not only unlawful, but is unfair to other licensees that are acting in good faith and respectful of patent rights, and ultimately damaging to the mobile ecosystem and consumers.” Meizu didn’t respond to a request for comment.