HomeWinBuzzer NewsQualcomm Loses EU Appeal and Faces 580,000 Euro Fine Per Day

Qualcomm Loses EU Appeal and Faces 580,000 Euro Fine Per Day

Accused of limiting a British rival, Qualcomm’s appeal to overturn a daily European fine as failed as the company did not provide enough information to regulators.

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, the chipmaker that sits atop the mobile processor market, has lost an appeal against a European antitrust accusation. The company now faces a daily fine of 580,000 euros ($665,000). A previous decision to punish the US-based firm was upheld in a European Union court on Monday morning.

The original ruling found Qualcomm guilty of anti-competitive practices. The EU Commission asked the company for information on the matter, but was not given it. In response, the charge was made and the fine set in place.

Qualcomm appealed, but lost today. The company was accused of attempting to squeeze British smartphone software company Icera out of the market. Europe's General Court in Luxembourg was asked to suspend the fine and the ruling, but instead upheld the decision.

In a statement, the European Commission welcomed the decision. Court President Marc Jaeger says Qualcomm failed to supply enough information:

“The applicant does not claim that its financial viability would be at risk or that its market share could be affected substantially,” he said.

“Furthermore, it does not give any explanation as to why it would be impossible to seek compensation for the alleged financial costs it would suffer by answering the questions.”

Qualcomm now faces another EU antitrust battle. The company is accused of making illegal payments to companies if they used its processors exclusively. Apple and Samsung are also at loggerheads with the chipmaker over its practices.

Tackling Europe

Europe has often been harder on tech companies that other regulators. The continent has taken a strict line against potential monopolization. Apple has been targeted by the Commission for alleged tax favors in Ireland.

Google has recently been given the largest antitrust fine in EU history. The company has consistently fallen foul of regulators on the Old Continent and was fined $2.7 billion for the way it handles shopping searches.

is also a frequent sparring partner for the Commission. The company is currently sitting on an antitrust accusation filed by Kaspersky Lab. The Russian security company says Microsoft stifles third-party anti-virus providers through updates.

SourceReuters
Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about all things tech for more than five years. He is following Microsoft closely to bring you the latest news about Windows, Office, Azure, Skype, HoloLens and all the rest of their products.

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