Broadcom Sues Qualcomm Over Mobile Phone Patents

Chip maker Broadcom Corp. said Thursday that it was suing Qualcomm Inc. because the San Diego wireless communications company allegedly infringed a series of patents.

Irvine-based Broadcom said two complaints were filed in federal court in Santa Ana late Wednesday. The company, which is seeking unspecified monetary damages, alleged that Qualcomm’s current and next-generation wireless products infringe 10 patents. Broadcom also calls for a permanent injunction barring the manufacture and sale of infringing products.

Broadcom also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, alleging that Qualcomm has engaged in unfair trade practices by importing integrated circuits and other products that infringe five patents cited in the federal complaints.

Broadcom is asking the commission to investigate and is seeking a cease-and-desist order against the trade practices.

A victory for Broadcom could force Qualcomm to stop selling chips that include some of the features that customers are racing to add to mobile phones. Broadcom and Qualcomm are battling to design semiconductors for so-called third-generation, or 3G, devices that surf the Web, play videos and access corporate networks.

Broadcom shares rose 25 cents to $35.62 and Qualcomm shares rose 6 cents to $36.61 in Nasdaq trading.

Associated Press and Bloomberg News were used in compiling this report.