In a recent development, a court has ruled that the European Union (EU) must pay only a fraction of the legal fees sought by Qualcomm in an antitrust case. The case revolves around allegations that Qualcomm engaged in anti-competitive behavior by selling 3G chipsets below cost to drive out competitors.
The court's decision comes after Qualcomm sought reimbursement for legal fees totaling millions of euros. However, the court determined that the EU should only pay a small portion of the requested amount, citing that Qualcomm's claims were excessive.
Qualcomm, a major player in the semiconductor industry, has been embroiled in legal battles with regulators around the world over its business practices. The company has faced scrutiny for its licensing practices and alleged abuse of its dominant market position.
The antitrust case in question dates back to 2015 when the EU accused Qualcomm of violating competition rules by offering financial incentives to a major customer in exchange for exclusivity. The EU imposed a fine of 997 million euros on Qualcomm in 2018 for this violation.
While the court's ruling on legal fees may come as a relief to the EU, the case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by regulators in addressing anti-competitive practices in the tech industry. Qualcomm, on the other hand, continues to defend its business practices and maintain its position in the market.
