Apple says it found a software solution that will reverse the court mandated sales ban in China successfully argued by Qualcomm as part of a patent infringement battle.
Earlier this week, we reported Qualcomm was granted an injunction that bans the sales and imports of a number of iPhone models over two specific patent infringements regarding app management and resizing photos. The iPhones models that were part of the ban included the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus and X.
After the victory, Qualcomm pivoted toward trying to get Apple’s newest iPhones, the XS, XS Max and XR, banned as well, but Apple’s counterpunch may make the whole ordeal a moot point.
Apple revealed in a statement to Reuters that it has a new software update that will start rolling out next week that is going “to address any possible concerns about our compliance order.”
“Based on the iPhone models we offer in China today, we believe we are in compliance,” said Apple. “Early next week we will deliver a software update for iPhone users in China addressing the minor functionality of the two patents at issue in the case.”
Apple stated that its most recent version of iPhone software, iOS 12, doesn’t even use the two patents for which Qualcomm is arguing infringement. If that’s the case, the update that Apple is rolling out may just be a mandatory update for all users who are running an older version of the software, therefore violating the injunction.
Regardless, as a precaution, Apple has filed a reconsideration with the court. Once the update rolls out, it’ll be up to the Chinese courts to decide what to do next.
