Regulators, who dropped an anti-trust investigation into Qualcomm seven months ago, are looking into a complaint by a British company accusing the US wireless chip firm of anti-competitive activity.
European Union (EU) regulators, who dropped an anti-trust investigation into Qualcomm seven months ago, are looking into a complaint by a British company accusing the US wireless chip firm of anti-competitive activity.
A European Commission spokesperson declined to identify the British company on Thursday, but Qualcomm said the complainant was Icera, a privately held firm backed by venture investors Accel Partners, Atlas Venture, Amadeus Capital Partners, Balderton Capital, Tudor Investment Corporation, and Encore Ventures.
"There is no investigation at this stage, there is the usual fact-finding exercise when we receive a complaint," said Amelia Torres, a spokesperson for the commission, the European Union’s anti-trust watchdog.
Icera declined to comment, while Qualcomm said the allegations lacked merit.
"We do note, however, the similarity between Icera's allegations and those in complaints made previously to the EU, which apparently failed to persuade the commission and were ultimately withdrawn," the company said in a statement.
Founded in 2002, Icera makes chips for USB modem sticks, laptops, netbooks, and smart phones. It has operations in Britain, France, North America, and China.
The EU watchdog scrapped its four-year investigation last November after Ericsson, the world’s biggest maker of mobile network equipment, withdrew its complaint over Qualcomm's royalties and licensing terms.
Texas Instruments, Qualcomm's biggest wireless chip rival, also withdrew its complaint on the same day.
Finnish cellphone maker Nokia and Broadcom Corp had earlier dropped their cases against Qualcomm after reaching settlements with the company.
Other complainants included NEC Corp and Panasonic, both of Japan.
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