European Union Drops Qualcomm Case

Bruce V. Bigelow11/24/09

Word from Brussels today has removed a big unknown that was weighing on San Diego wireless giant Qualcomm and its global technology licensing strategy. European Union antitrust regulators say they are dropping their investigation into Qualcomm’s business practices. The six companies that instigated the probe also have withdrawn their complaints that Qualcomm royalty fees were too high and that it was abusing its monopoly position in 3G intellectual property rights. Rethink Wireless, the London industry news blog, says the EU’s decision to drop the matter means that Qualcomm’s fortunes have improved considerably on the licensing side.

Bruce V. Bigelow is the editor of Xconomy San Diego. You can e-mail him at bbigelow@xconomy.com or call (619) 669-8788