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Close to 30 million people in the United Kingdom who bought an Apple Inc. or Samsung Electronics handset from the year 2015 to the year 2024 might be able to around £17 per person if a customer campaign group prevails in its lawsuit against the US tech giant Qualcomm.

Trial Commences Today

The consumer group is bringing the technology corporation to the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London now.

The trial between the watchdog and the chipmaker is anticipated to run for five weeks.

The organization is accusing the tech firm of anti-competitive practices.

The group asserts that the firm compelled Apple & Samsung Electronics to pay inflated prices and patent charges for critical mobile hardware, which then increased the expense of those mobile phones for users.

What the Case Will Examine

The trial commencing this week will look into whether the chipmaker had market power and, if so, whether it exploited a leading role.

If the watchdog is successful, there will be a subsequent step seeking 480 million pounds from the tech firm, to be divided between an estimated 29 million UK phone owners affected.

The organization is claiming compensation for all impacted Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics handsets acquired between October 1, 2015 and early January 2024.

The organization estimates this would almost certainly amount at about seventeen pounds each.

Past Allegations and Qualcomm's Position

The chipmaker has earlier stated the claim has "no basis".

A parallel claim against the tech giant is in progress in the Canadian courts, and the company has also previously been penalized by the EU for anti-competitive practices.

The FTC in the America sued the corporation for unfair practices in the way it sold rights to its innovations in the year 2017, but had its legal action dismissed in the year 2020.

Significance of the Case

The chief executive of the organization stated: "This legal action is a significant event. It demonstrates how the influence of buyers - supported by us - can be used to require the biggest companies to account if they misuse their leading role."

Qualcomm is one of the largest global manufacturers of mobile processors and has encountered claims about unfair practices in the past.

• Eligible devices include Apple & Samsung Electronics products bought between 2015 and January 2024.
• The total payout being sought is £480m.
• Individual compensation is estimated to be around seventeen pounds.
• The legal action is being held at the CAT in London.