A U.S. federal judge has upheld a previous jury verdict that found Qualcomm guilty of infringing on three mobile technology patents belonging to rival Broadcom. The patents involve technologies that enable mobile phones to process video and walkie-talkie conversations and hand off calls between different networks. In August, a jury found that Qualcomm’s actions were willful and awarded Broadcom US$39.3 million in damages. However, during the latest hearing these damages were slashed in half to US$19.6 million and Broadcom was given the option of accepting the award or seeking a new trial.
Broadcom said it would accept the award and seek an injunction against Qualcomm to prevent it making, using, selling and developing 3G WCDMA and EV-DO cellular chips that infringe any of its patents. Broadcom is not the only mobile technology vendor in conflict with the San Diego-based chip supplier. The latest case between Nokia and Qualcomm is due to start in the British High Court today.