AFX News Limited
Wireless cos say EU case vs Qualcomm is under abuse of dominant position rules
10.28.2005, 09:17 AM
STOCKHOLM (AFX) - LM Ericsson AB, Nokia Corp, Broadcom Corp, NEC Corp, Panasonic Mobile Communications and Texas Instruments Inc said their complaint against Qualcomm Inc is based on the EU's Article 82: Abuse of Dominant Market Position.
Speaking at a joint press conference, representatives of the six companies asserted that Qualcomm is in clear breach of the Article.
'They have a dominant market position and they are abusing that dominant position,' said Nokia's Maurits Dolmans, alledging exclusionary and excessive pricing by Qualcomm.
Dolman's was reluctant to speculate how much the overpricing has cost the industry, but when pushed suggested the figure was in the billions of eur, rather than millions.
He said the six wireless companies are not interested in what penalties the EU may, or may not level against Qualcomm, only that it forces the chip maker to change its ways.
'We want the EU to stop this abuse,' said Dolmans.
Dolmans said the six companies previously tried to resolve issues over pricing and patents with Qualcomm, without luck.
'This (complaint) is not going to be that much of a surprise to Qualcomm,' he said.
stockholm@afxnews.com
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