Chapter 3177: Opening the Door for a Reception

"Qualcomm?" Zhou Buqi nodded when he heard the name, "Why Qualcomm again? Wasn't it Ericsson who sued Asda in New Delhi?"

Zhou Shaoning said: "Ericsson sued, but this matter is too complicated."

"What's going on?"

"That's right. After Ericsson sued Asda for infringing their patents, the Indian court has temporarily suspended the import of all our mobile phones. However, Qualcomm jumped out at this time."

“Qualcomm became an accomplice?”

Zhou Buqi is really worried.

Last year, he gave Qualcomm eye drops, which led to China, South Korea and Europe launching antitrust investigations against Qualcomm. As a result, when global technology stocks are collectively soaring, Qualcomm's stock price has fallen by 30%. It is said that Qualcomm's board of directors has plans to replace the CEO.

Zhou Shaoning shook his head, "No, Qualcomm is not helping Ericsson. On the contrary, Qualcomm is helping us. They have provided some materials and want to help us get a temporary entry permit. Before the patent dispute between us and Ericsson is over, let our mobile phone Still able to enter the Indian market.”

"Ah?" Zhou Buqi was surprised, "Qualcomm is helping?"

Zhou Shaoning said: "On the surface, it is indeed helping. According to feedback from India, after Qualcomm's materials were submitted, Ericsson's response was also very positive. Ericsson, as a party, did not object, so there is no doubt that the court expected Within a few days, a temporary entry permit can be issued for our mobile phone.”

"It's not like Qualcomm and Ericsson are cooperating and putting on a show, right?"

Zhou Buqi immediately realized that there might be very complicated twists and turns.

Zhou Shaoning sighed: "Ericsson has been very active since the year before last. The year before last, Ericsson sued Samsung; last December, Ericsson sued Asda in New Delhi, India. Just now, I got the news that Ericsson sued Samsung in the United States and Europe Many countries have launched lawsuits against Apple at the same time.”

Zhou Buqi raised his eyebrows, "Are they all the same?"

Zhou Shaoning nodded, "Absolutely."

"Is it related to Qualcomm?"

"Closely related!"

"Qualcomm is in huge trouble now. Did it find Ericsson as an ally?"

Zhou Buqi was glad that he never underestimated Qualcomm or acted rashly.

Zhou Shaoning said: "Actually, Qualcomm and Ericsson have been allies for decades. Both parties have very close cooperation in the fields of 2g, 3g and 4g patented communications. By the way, before I finished speaking, the Indian court issued a The temporary license issued is subject to restrictions. Only mobile phones equipped with Qualcomm processors can be approved for entry. If it is a mobile phone developed by Asda or purchased from MediaTek, such mobile phones will not be allowed to enter. "

Zhou Buqi's eyes widened, "Holy crap! It's really Qualcomm's method!"

It’s such a familiar strategy and a familiar taste!

Now, most of the third-party mobile phone chip manufacturers have been killed by Qualcomm, and basically only MediaTek is left. But Qualcomm’s chips are too expensive, what should I do? Mobile phone manufacturers can no longer buy affordable chip solutions, so they can only develop them themselves.

Major manufacturers are producing self-developed chips, such as Apple, ZTE, Huawei, LG, Samsung, Asda, and HTC.

Apple and Samsung are the strongest and can compete with Qualcomm in the field of high-end chips!

Other manufacturers are weak.

But at least we can make some mid-to-low-end chips and put them on mid-to-low-end phones... Last year, a large number of low-end phones under 1,000 yuan were launched in China, and basically none of them used Qualcomm's chip solutions.

This is obviously not in Qualcomm's interests.

It would be best if all mobile phone manufacturers in the world purchased Qualcomm's chip solutions and all mobile phones were equipped with Qualcomm's chip modules!

Is this Qualcomm’s counterattack?

Zhou Buqi asked puzzledly: "Why was everything okay before?"

Zhou Shaoning said: "Ericsson didn't sue us before because we all used Qualcomm chips! Didn't we launch a series of low-end phones last year, and self-developed chips were also launched. We launched two models equipped with MediaTek chips mobile phone, and a mobile phone equipped with a self-developed chip, mainly for the Indian market.”

Zhou Buqi took a deep breath and said, "Because Qualcomm's chips were not used, Ericsson sued."

"right."

"Is this in the interest of Ericsson? Ericsson is also the world's top communications giant. Why should it help Qualcomm?"    "Because it is indeed an infringement."

Zhou Shaoning was a little embarrassed.

Zhou Buqi waved his hand and said indifferently, "If you use Qualcomm's chips, doesn't it constitute infringement?"

Zhou Shaoning said: "That's right. Qualcomm's strength lies in the fact that Qualcomm is an alliance. Qualcomm's chips are very convenient because Qualcomm has already solved many patent issues. To buy Qualcomm's chips, you have to pay two parts. Part of it is money to buy chips, and part is money to buy patents. Part of this patent fee will be collected by Qualcomm, and part of it will be distributed to its partners.”

Zhou Buqi vaguely understood, "Qualcomm's chips are actually a package of chipsets!"

Zhou Shaoning smiled and said, "Yes, that's what it means."

Zhou Buqi said: "So when purchasing Qualcomm chips, you actually have to pay Ericsson's patent fees in a bundle."

Zhou Shaoning said: "That's what it means. The patent fees that need to be paid when buying Qualcomm chips are clearly marked. Mobile phone manufacturers only need to pay the fees according to the standards. It is all bundled, very transparent, and clearly marked. This patent fee must be paid. Last year, Samsung paid approximately US$600 million in patent fees, and Asda paid a similar amount of US$620 million.”

Zhou Buqi understood now, "But MediaTek's industry strength is not that strong. When you buy MediaTek's chips, there are no bundled patent fees behind it."

Zhou Shaoning nodded, "Yes, so if a mobile phone manufacturer purchases MediaTek's chips, they need to negotiate with those patent parties and pay them additional patent fees. If they fail to negotiate, they will be subject to patent litigation."

Qualcomm is an industry leader, and their chips have achieved a high degree of industry integration.

When purchasing Qualcomm chips, which companies need to pay patent fees and how much patent fees need to be paid are clearly marked, and they are bundled terms. You cannot buy chips without paying patent fees.

This is a great benefit to mobile phone manufacturers at the operational level.

Qualcomm has already comprehensively resolved the patent issues.

There is no need to negotiate additionally with those patent parties.

Mobile phone manufacturers only need to assemble and sell them.

Nothing else bothers me.

MediaTek or self-developed chips will not work.

Behind each chip is actually the intellectual crystallization of scientific and technological people all over the world, which may involve thousands of communication patents. MediaTek does not have a package plan, so purchasers can only negotiate with those patent parties individually.

In addition to assembly and sales, you also have to negotiate with patent parties and pay patent fees.

If you don't pay, it's an infringement.

Zhou Buqi squinted his eyes and said: "It seems that purchasing MediaTek's chips or using your own chips will be a lot of trouble in operation. Using Qualcomm's chips, Qualcomm has already taken care of the patent matters and pays according to the conditions. That’s it. If you don’t use Qualcomm’s chips, you have to talk about it slowly.”

Zhou Shaoning let out a "ha" sound.

"Huh?" Zhou Buqi glanced at him, "What do you mean?"

Zhou Shaoning said: "If you want to pay the patent fee, it is really troublesome. If you don't pay, it won't be troublesome."

Zhou Buqi laughed.

Such shameless energy!

Isn't it much simpler to just use MediaTek's chips or self-developed chips and just use them, then be ruthless about infringement and not go to the relevant patent parties to negotiate patent licensing fees?

Zhou Shaoning smiled and said: "It saves money and is simple."

Zhou Buqi said: "So there is also the risk of being prosecuted."

Zhou Shaoning said: "Actually, whoever is a rogue will be easy. The one who jumps out to solve the problem must be the one who can't be tolerated the most. When it comes to infringement, the one who can't be tolerated the most is the patent party, not the mobile phone manufacturer. So we just turned the trouble around. Now, the patent parties have to come out to deal with these troubles.”

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "This is really a clever trick, first boldly infringe upon the infringement. After the infringement is committed, the other party will naturally take the initiative to come to negotiate, so you don't have to worry about going to the door to negotiate. Open the door for a banquet, Wait for someone to come to your door."

Zhou Shaoning said: "If someone ignores it, or they are afraid of trouble and do not come to find them, then for the mobile phone manufacturer, it is equivalent to saving a lot of money."