Client Alert: Qualcomm Wins Ninth Circuit Appeal, Vacating Worldwide Injunction on Its Patent Licensing Practices
On August 11, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated a judgment against Qualcomm Inc. in its ongoing antitrust dispute with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) involving fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing issues. The Ninth Circuit panel unanimously ruled in favor of Qualcomm, and against the FTC, reversing the district court’s judgment finding that several of Qualcomm’s core patent licensing practices violated federal antitrust law.
The Ninth Circuit’s ruling represents a key development at the intersection of antitrust law and FRAND licensing obligations for standard essential patents (SEPs). The court of appeals rejected a “trailblazing application of the antitrust laws” to Qualcomm’s so-called “no license, no chips” policy and related patent licensing practices.
To read the full article, please click here.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
On August 11, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated a judgment against Qualcomm Inc. in its ongoing antitrust dispute with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) involving fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing issues. The Ninth Circuit panel unanimously ruled in favor of Qualcomm, and against the FTC, reversing the district court’s judgment finding that several of Qualcomm’s core patent licensing practices violated federal antitrust law.
The Ninth Circuit’s ruling represents a key development at the intersection of antitrust law and FRAND licensing obligations for standard essential patents (SEPs). The court of appeals rejected a “trailblazing application of the antitrust laws” to Qualcomm’s so-called “no license, no chips” policy and related patent licensing practices.
To read the full article, please click here.
Related Lawyers
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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