Qualcomm Apple Says Is $ 7 Billion Behind in Royalty Payments

Apple owes $ 7 billion in royalties to qualifcomm since halting payments because of its ongoing dispute with the mobile chip maker over unfair licensing practices, according to a short hearing on Friday (via Bloomberg).

Apple began withholding the payments through its manufacturers last year, after the tech giant filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm claiming that the chipmaker was charging unfair royalties for "technologies they have nothing to do with." However, Qualcomm maintains its technology "is at the heart of every iPhone," and that the royalties are entirely valid.

"They're trying to destroy our business," Qualcomm lawyer Evan Chesler said in San Diego. "They're now $ 7 billion worth of property right now."

The two companies have been locked in the wide-ranging legal battle since 2017, with Apple's accusing Qualcomm of unfair patent licensing practices and Qualcomm's accusing Apple's patent infringement.

Apple argues that the mobile chipmaker is forcing it to use its chips in iPhones and then again through patent royalties, a practice Apple refers to as "double-dipping." However Qualcomm claims it is doing nothing illegal and that Apple has agreed to the business model for years.

Both Apple and Qualcomm have filed several lawsuits against one another, with the United States and China.