SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. scored a minor victory in its legal wrangle with chipmaker Broadcom Inc., managing to move part of the case to its home base of San Diego. The ruling also shortens Broadcom’s complaint against Qualcomm with the International Trade Commission.
Broadcom said it plans to appeal the ruling.
The change of venue stems from a cross-licensing agreement for two Bluetooth patents that Qualcomm and Broadcom signed in 2001. According to Qualcomm, the agreement includes a stipulation that any legal arguments over the cross-licensing agreement be heard in a San Diego court.
A judge with the Federal District Court in San Diego agreed with Qualcomm’s argument, and ordered that the case move from a Santa Ana, Calif., court and into a San Diego court.
Although the change of venue is notable, perhaps more important is that the ruling means Broadcom won’t be able to include the Bluetooth patents in its arguments with the ITC.
Broadcom will however be able to go forward with its other complaints at the ITC.
Broadcom and Qualcomm are ensnarled in a bitter legal battle that stabs at the heart of the wireless industry. The case primarily involves licensing agreements for third-generation wireless technology-a multi-million dollar issue. Companies including Nokia Corp. and Texas Instruments Inc. have joined Broadcom’s complaint against Qualcomm with the ITC.
