Qualcomm and Apple have settled their bitter patent royalty lawsuit by signing a six-year license agreement, with the deal being reached just as lawyers for the companies wrapped up opening statements in the trial in San Diego Federal Court.
The move brings to an end a bitter, two-year legal battle over the way Qualcomm charges smartphone makers for use of their intellectual property. Few details were available other than the six-year license agreement between the two companies.
Apple did not have a direct license to Qualcomm's patents prior to this new deal, which includes a payment from Apple to Qualcomm for an undisclosed amount.
Qualcomm lawyers said in court that it had not been paid patent royalties from contract manufacturers for two years and was owed $8 billion in back royalties, plus interest.
