U.S. trade office will investigate Apple iPhone 7 imports

Aug. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. International Trade Commission said it will investigate if Apple's importing of electronics parts violates Qualcomm's patents.

At issue are "mobile electronic devices, such as the [Apple] iPhone 7, and specific components for such devices, such as baseband processor modems," the commission said in a statement Tuesday.

The San Diego-based Qualcomm, which manufactures certain processors for Apple products, claims Apple infringed on its patents when it used components in some devices that were manufactured by other companies. Qualcomm's complaint to the trade commission calls for a temporary ban on importing those Apple products, and a cease and desist order to stop selling products already in the United States.

"Qualcomm's illegal business practices are harming Apple and the entire industry," Apple said in a statement in June, when the complaint was first filed, according to the Hill. "They supply us with a single connectivity component, but for years have been demanding a percentage of the total cost of our products, effectively taxing Apple's innovation."

The trade commission said it will set a target date for completing the investigation 45 days after its start.