Washington — The International Trade Commission should reject Qualcomm’s request to block Apple devices from reaching the market, according to comments filed today by the Computer & Communications Industry Association. The ITC is accepting comments on Qualcomm’s request that the ITC ban importation and sale of Apple mobile devices that don’t use a Qualcomm processor.
CCIA told the ITC that Qualcomm’s request would harm consumers by enabling Qualcomm’s anti-competitive behavior.
CCIA has advocated on open competition issues for more than 40 years. Apple is not a member of this international tech trade association. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“Qualcomm is already using its dominant position to pressure competitors and tax competing products. If the ITC were to grant this exclusion order, it would help Qualcomm use its monopoly power for further leverage against Apple, and allow them to drive up prices on consumer devices.
“What’s at stake here is certainly the availability of iPhones and other smartphones at better prices. But even more critical is the principle of open competition that has been historically important to US economic success. The ITC has a choice whether to further reward anti-competitive behavior – or to reject this anti-free market, anti-consumer request.”