Following US chip maker Qualcomm's lawsuit against Apple over patent infringements and royalties, a German court on Friday placed a ban on the sales of affected iPhones, ordering the tech giant to pull out all infringing iPhones from its German store and third party resellers out of the country.
If you recall, a German court in December 20, 2018 passed a ruling in favour of Qualcomm. However, the ruling couldn't be effected because Apple could appeal to a higher court which could overturn the injunction.
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For the injunction to be enforced, the court told the US chip maker to post a security bond which which will be served as compensation to Apple in case a higher court later ruled in favour of Apple.
"Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that it has posted security bonds totaling €1.34 billion (Euros)," Qualcomm said in a press release. "The bonds are required for Qualcomm to be able to enforce the remedies ordered by the Court On December 20, 2018, after the Court found that Apple is infringing Qualcomm's patented power savings technology used in smartphones. "
Apple's iPhone models affected in the ban includes the iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus and the X. iPhones models that are safe from the ban, for now, are the iPhone XS and XR.
"Apple was ordered to cease the sale, offer for sale and importation for sale of all infringing iPhones in Germany. The Court also ordered Apple to recall infringing iPhones from third party resellers in Germany," the press release said.
Before the ban of Apple products in Germany, Qualcomm won the same lawsuit against Apple in China who also placed a ban on the sales of the affected iPhone models in the country.
Apple is having a real hard time. From disappointing low sales to falling stocks, Apple isn't finding it funny.
However, there might be hope for Apple if the US Federal Trade Commission, which has dragged Qualcomm to court over abuse of licensing mobile chip patents, eventually wins the case.