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In Qualcomm-Apple fight, judge limits scope of damages

Qualcomm can't hold Apple liable for damages suffered before the chipmaker filed its lawsuit, a judge reportedly rules.

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Abrar Al-Heeti Video producer / CNET
Abrar Al-Heeti is a video host and producer for CNET, with an interest in internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. Before joining the video team, she was a writer for CNET's culture team. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.
Expertise Abrar has spent her career at CNET breaking down the latest trends on TikTok, Twitter and Instagram, while also reporting on diversity and inclusion initiatives in Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Credentials
  • Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has twice been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
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Abrar Al-Heeti
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Angela Lang/CNET

Qualcomm can't seek damages from Apple for patent infringement that occurred before the chipmaker sued the iPhone purveyor in 2017, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, according to Bloomberg. 

The decision came following a request from Apple, the report says.

Qualcomm accused Apple of infringing patents linked to graphics processing and energy efficiency technology in phones . The two tech giants have been fighting over patents since January 2017, when Apple filed suit against Qualcomm for around $1 billion. Apple says Qualcomm didn't offer fair licensing terms for its technology, and the iPhone and iPad maker wants to pay less to use the tech in its devices. Qualcomm, in turn, sued Apple for patent infringement and sought a ban on iPhone sales.

Tuesday's decision comes ahead of a trial set to begin next month. A trial between the US Federal Trade Commission and Qualcomm over mobile chip licenses wrapped up last week. 

Apple and Qualcomm didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.