Qualcomm says it is filing a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging that Apple has engaged in the unlawful importation and sale of iPhones that infringe one or more claims of six Qualcomm patents covering key technologies that enable important features and functions in iPhones.

Qualcomm is requesting that the ITC institute an investigation into Apple’s infringing imports and ultimately issue a Limited Exclusion Order (LEO) to bar importation of those iPhones and other products into the United States. The company says it is seeking the LEO against iPhones that use cellular baseband processors, as well a cease and desist order barring further sales of Apple products caught up in the dispute.

The patents in question include U.S. Patent No. 8,633,936, U.S. Patent No. 8,698,558, U.S. Patent No. 8,487,658, U.S. Patent No. 8,838,949, U.S. Patent No. 9,535,490, and U.S. Patent No. 9,608,675.

Qualcomm has also filed a complaint against Apple in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleging that Apple infringes the same six patents in the complaint filed in the ITC. The complaint seeks damages and injunctive relief.

In a press announcement, Qualcomm said it expects that the ITC investigation will commence in August and that the case will be tried next year.

[Image courtesy: Qualcomm]