A PYMNTS Company

China: Qualcomm data seized with new ‘monopoly’ label

 |  July 27, 2014

US-based tech conglomerate Qualcomm, the world’s largest maker of mobile chips, continues to face a crackdown by Chinese antitrust officials just days after the company was labeled a monopoly by the National Development and Reform Commission.

According to reports, the NDRC has seized documents pertaining to Qualcomm sales data through dawn raids in Beijing and Shanghai. At least 80 individuals were sent to conduct the searches, reports say.

The company is facing fines that could top $1 billion for anticompetitive abuse of its market dominance. The NDRC is particularly concerned that Qualcomm forced unfair and discriminatory patent licensing fees to Chinese vendors.

Reports in China say some domestic companies have postponed obtaining patent authorization from Qualcomm due to the pending investigation.

Full content: Watch China Times

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.