Qualcomm, Broadcom drop some patent suits

Qualcomm Inc. and Irvine-based Broadcom Corp. agreed to drop some patent claims over their mobile-phone chips, helping them avoid two jury trials that were scheduled for later this year.

The agreement dismisses one lawsuit from each company against the other for patent infringement, including one that was scheduled to begin trial March 5.

Other claims in federal courts in San Diego and Orange counties aren’t affected, San Diego-based Qualcomm said.