British Consumer Association Withdraws Competition Claim Against Qualcomm

"A British consumers' organization has withdrawn its competition claim against Qualcomm after it determined the Competition Appeal Tribunal was likely to find Qualcomm was not at fault. The consumers' organization, Which?, filed the claim in February 2021 on behalf of around 29 million British consumers, alleging that Qualcomm had "breached UK competition law by taking advantage of its dominance in the patent-licensing and chipset markets.""

"The payout was expected to be up to £30 for individual consumers, while most consumers would have received around £17. At the time, Which? said, "Qualcomm has already been found liable by regulators and courts around the world for similar anticompetitive behaviour and Which? is urging Qualcomm to settle this claim without the need for litigation by offering consumers their money back.""

"Qualcomm welcomed Which?'s statement and agreement to withdraw the claim, noting that its conclusion "reaffirms what the courts in the United States have repeatedly held: Qualcomm's licensing practices are lawful and do not harm competition." A British consumers' organization has withdrawn its competition claim against Qualcomm after it determined the Competition Appeal Tribunal was likely to find Qualcomm was not at fault."

Which? withdrew a UK class competition claim against Qualcomm after concluding the Competition Appeal Tribunal was likely to find Qualcomm not at fault. Which? filed the claim in February 2021 on behalf of about 29 million consumers, alleging Qualcomm breached UK competition law by exploiting dominance in patent licensing and chipsets and charging inflated licence fees passed to consumers. Estimated payouts were up to £30, with most consumers expected to receive about £17. After six years of proceedings Which? reached an agreement under which Qualcomm will not make payments to Which? or the class, and Which? will apply to the Tribunal to withdraw the proceedings, subject to approval.

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