Nearly 30 million individuals in the UK who purchased an Apple or Samsung smartphone between October 1, 2015, and January 9, 2024, may be eligible for approximately £17 each if the consumer advocacy group Which? succeeds in its legal action against Qualcomm. The trial is set to commence at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London and is expected to last five weeks.
Which? alleges that Qualcomm engaged in anti-competitive practices by imposing inflated prices and licensing fees on Apple and Samsung for essential smartphone components. According to the consumer group, these actions contributed to higher costs for consumers purchasing these devices. The tribunal will examine whether Qualcomm possessed significant market power and if it misused this position.
If Which? prevails in the case, a second phase of the proceedings may seek £480 million from Qualcomm, which would be allocated to the affected smartphone owners. Qualcomm has described the case as lacking a substantial basis.
In addition to this case in the UK, Qualcomm is also facing a similar legal challenge in Canada and has previously been fined by the European Union for antitrust violations. Qualcomm is a major manufacturer of smartphone chips, and it has faced scrutiny over its business practices in other jurisdictions, including a lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission in the United States regarding its licensing policies, which was ultimately dismissed in 2020.
The outcome of this case could have a significant financial impact on millions of consumers, raising questions about the potential repercussions for Qualcomm and the broader smartphone market.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0rn7rwk24o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss