US bans Qualcomm chips

A FEDERAL AGENCY has banned US imports of mobiles with Qualcomm chips under the bonnet.

The US International Trade Commission said the import ban would apply to future models. It claims that the technology was patented by Broadcom.

The move could also hurt Motorola and Samsung Electronics, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel and AT&T who all have some connection with Qualcomm.

Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm's chief executive, said the decision could prevent imports of tens of millions of mobile phones. It is asking a Federal court to prevent the ban taking place and may even ask President Bush to veto it.

Last week, a federal jury in California ruled that certain Qualcomm chips and software infringed three Broadcom patents, and awarded Broadcom $19.6 million in damages.

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