Qualcomm wants blueprints of Intel modems used in Apple iPhones

Qualcomm has filed a document with a US court to demand that Intel hand over blueprints of the Intel modems that Apple uses in iPhones.

Qualcomm said in the document that Intel appeared willing to hand over a “limited number of technical documents about relevant components the company is making for the 2018 iPhones.” In return, Qualcomm would acknowledge that Intel met certain previously stated requirements of the subpoena with the materials produced. Qualcomm argues, however, that Intel does not comply with the agreement to provide the documents and also does not cooperate with Intel’s demanded questioning about its radio frequency components.

Intel did hand over some information, but not about Apple’s 2018 mobile products, such as the sixth-generation iPad. Specifically, it concerns the Intel SMARTi 7 RF transceiver and the XMM 7560 chip. Perhaps Intel is trying to delay the release of further information in favor of Apple. It recently emerged that Apple probably won’t be using Qualcomm modems in upcoming iPhones; new iPhones will only have modems from Intel.

Qualcomm wants the documents to use in its lawsuit against Apple. Qualcomm sued Apple last year for alleged breaches of contract with regard to software licenses. As a result, Apple would have favored Intel with the supply of modems for mobile internet. Qualcomm also states that Apple is violating its patents and has previously wanted to force a sales stop on iPhones in, for example, the US and Germany.

This was preceded by a lawsuit from Apple. The company sued Qualcomm in early 2017, alleging Qualcomm was charging too much money to license the necessary technology. In the context of this royalty dispute, Apple wants a number of patents invalidated and is demanding that Qualcomm pay back a billion dollars.