The Apple unlock patent has been cited in several cases where Apple desires to stop the sales of competing phones with that feature. If, as I believe, the unlock patent will be declared invalid, it will help strengthen companies like Motorola and Samsung by negating one of the Apple complaints against them.
Looking at this issue in a broader context, as Engineer has written, it is difficult, if not impossible to sell a smartphone today that does not incorporate proprietary technology from a variety of sources. And, as a court in the U.S. has already suggested in regard to Apple and Samsung, isn't there a better way to settle these disputes than in court? Better, meaning less expensive for everyone.
Luckily, Qualcomm is on the sidelines in these disputes and can go quietly, picking up royalty revenues from almost everyone, in addition to selling some of its chips to many of the handset manufacturers. Qualcomm has a better chance of improving its earnings if Apple competitors make inroads into the fastest growing parts of the smartphone and tablet markets. Apple does buy radio chips from Qualcomm, but they tend to buy the lower cost models, not the later, higher performing ones that generate higher profits per unit. Other handset makers looking for the cutting edge in performance give Qualcomm a better profit opportunity.
So my point remains that more successful competition from Apple competitors will be healthier for Qualcomm.
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