Wednesday, October 11, 2006

ITC Judge Rules That Qualcomm Infringes On Broadcom Patent

Irvine-based Broadcom said in a statement Tuesday that a judge has ruled that Qualcomm has infringed on a Broadcom patent, as the two firms continue their long running patent battle. Broadcom said that an U.S. International Trade Commission judge has ruled that Qualcomm infringes on a Broadcom patent. Broadcom had asserted infringement of three Broadcom patents by Qualcomm, but the judge only found one to be infringed. Broadcom said that it expected the commission to issue a permanent exclusion order barring the importation into the United States of infringing Qualcomm chips; however, in its own statement, Qualcomm said that it maintains the patent is invalid and not infringed and will ask the full Commission to reject the judge's recommendations. Qualcomm also said it is exploring designs to replace the features accused of infringement with superior functionality. Broadcom and Qualcomm are engaged in multiple patent lawsuits.

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