Bush Administration Upholds Qualcomm Ban

The Bush administration has refused to overturn the ban on new cell phones that use Qualcomm chips and looks like Qualcomm has no choice but to pay licensing fees to its competitor Broadcom. U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab feels that Qualcomm’s argument that the ban would hamper innovation and effect public safety was not compelling.

Qualcomm in a press statement said that they are developing new software and hence in the future won’t require Broadcom's patented technology from its chips.

“We will pursue all legal and technical options available to us to minimize the impact of the ITC order on consumers, our customers and the entire wireless industry,” said Qualcomm chief executive Paul Jacobs in a written statement.