Apple will release iOS update in China next week to avoid sales ban

Apple will release an update to iOS in China next week that addresses functionality described in Qualcomm patents. The manufacturer hopes to prevent a sales ban in China.

Although Apple believes that the iPhones with iOS 12 in China do not infringe the relevant patents, it will distribute an update next week as a precaution that changes the functionality. The company reports this to Reuters. According to Apple, this concerns ‘minimal functionality’ that is described in two patents.

Qualcomm’s two patents describe technology for resizing images and using touchscreens for apps. Last week, Qualcomm was granted a preliminary injunction by a Chinese judge. This concerned the iPhone 6s up to and including the iPhone X, but according to Apple, the infringement only concerned iOS 11 and not iOS 12, with which the devices are now supplied.

Qualcomm disputes this and therefore wants to enforce a sales ban on the latest iPhones. Bloomberg writes that Apple has informed the court that this will force Apple to reach a settlement with Qualcomm, otherwise it will cost millions of dollars a day. According to Apple, a sales ban would also harm other businesses, consumers and governments. The company points out that the Chinese government will miss out on ‘hundreds of thousands in taxes’.