vancouver
TRANSCRIPT
27-Nov-17
VancouverCourt File No. VLC-S-S-1710984
THE PLAINTIFFS' CLAIM
Part 1: STATEMENT OF FACTS Introduction
1. The Plaintiffs and Class members are purchasers of cellular telephones and other cellular
devices such as computer tablets. In each such device, there is a modem chipset, which allows
the device to communicate and transmit voice and data across wireless networks controlled by
carriers, such as Rogers, Bell or Telus. The Plaintiffs bring this action against the defendant
Qualcomm Incorporated ("Qualcomm") and its subsidiaries for their anticompetitive conduct in
the modem chipset market, their abuse of the intellectual property rights underlying this
technology, and for charging excessive and unlawful royalties on cellular devices incorporating
such patents, with the result that each end-user purchaser of a cellular device pays an inflated
price.
2. To communicate with a carrier's network, a cellular device must contain a modem
chipset that complies with the cellular communications standards that the network supports.
Standard setting organizations ("SSOs"), comprised of device and component developers and
manufacturers and others, collaborate to set technology requirements to ensure mass
interoperability among system components. Standards may rely on underlying technology that is
patented. Because a standard requires that devices use a specific technology, standard-compliant
devices necessarily employ certain patents to comply.
3. Such patents are called standard essential patents ("SEPs"). Owners of patented
inventions employed in a standard are SEP holders. SEP holders benefit from the inclusion of
their patented inventions in a standard by obtaining licensing fees and royalties from the
widespread use of their technology.
4. Given the power that inclusion in a standard may give SEP holders, SSOs consider
alternative technologies before selecting a standard. Most importantly, SSOs require that its
members or any patent owner wishing to have its patent declared an SEP must agree to license
their technology on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory ("FRAND") terms. This ensures the
original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") that build and sell devices containing the SEPs
may use the technology without being held to ransom.
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5. Qualcomm was one of the earliest developers of cellular technology, developing the
technology underlying the Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") standard on which
network carriers relied. It is the dominant producer of CDMA chipsets and holds the largest
number of SEPs for CDMA and successor technologies, known as premium LTE modem
chipsets ("Modem Chipset SEPs"). Having agreed to license its technology on FRAND terms,
Qualcomm' s technology has been incorporated into virtually every major cellular device
standard for many years.
6. Qualcomm has breached its FRAND obligations to license its Modem Chipset SEPs to
OEMs on FRAND terms in order to extract unreasonably high royalty payments. Beginning at
least as early as 2008, Qualcomm, among other things:
a. overcharged for its Modem Chipsets;
b. forced OEMs to license Qualcomm's entire patent portfolio, including non-SEP
patents, to get access to Modem Chipset SEPs, to license on fair and reasonable terms in
breach of Qualcomm' s FRAND commitments;
c. entered into exclusive licensing deals with some cellular device manufacturers,
such as Apple, Inc. ("Apple"), in breach of Qualcomm' s FRAND commitments to
license on non-discriminatory terms;
d. refused to license its Modem Chipset SEPs to competitors who manufacture
Modem Chipsets, in breach of Qualcomm' s FRAND commitment to license on non
discriminatory terms; and
e. threatened device manufacturers with economic ruin if they refused to accept
these unlawful terms to obtain access to Qualcomm's Modem Chipset and SEPs.
7. The Plaintiffs and the class of persons they seek to represent have been harmed by paying
supracompetitive prices for cellular devices containing modem chipsets that they purchased. The
Plaintiffs seek to represent a class of persons to be described in their certification materials.
8. Qualcomm has parlayed its pioneering role in cellular technology into a patent-licensing
business that generates most of its profits. Qualcomm admits in its United States Securities &
Exchange Commission filings that its royalties are generally based upon a percentage of the
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wholesale (i.e. licensee's) selling price of complete licensed products. Qualcomm typically
charges makers of 3G devices-and 3G-compatible 4G models-up to 5% of their products'
wholesale price-around $20 on a $400 phone.
9. Qualcomm' s anticompetitive conduct has been met with condemnation by regulators
around the world. On December 21, 2016, the Korea Fair Trade Commission fined Qualcomm
$854 million (the largest fine in its history) for abuse of market dominance and anticompetitive
conduct with respect to its licensing practices.
10. On January 17, 2017, the United States Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") filed an
enforcement action against Qualcomm in United States Federal Court under the Federal Trade
Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 41-58, as amended. The FTC is challenging Qualcomm's
unlawful maintenance of a monopoly in the modem chipset market, resulting in the increased
prices paid by consumers for cellular devices.
11. Competing Modem Chipset manufacturers including Intel Corporation ("Intel") and
Samsung Electronics Inc. ("Samsung"), have joined as amicus curiae in the FTC proceedings
against Qualcomm. Affected persons can request leave to intervene to support the FTC. Intel and
Samsung have obtained standing in the FTC proceeding to stop Qualcomm' s wrongful conduct
against OEMs and Modem Chipset competitors and the resulting harm to consumers.
12. Consumers have initiated litigation in federal court in the United States against
Qualcomm to obtain recovery for its anticompetitive conduct: Bornstein et al. v. Qualcomm
Incorporated, United States District Court for the Northern District of California (San Jose
Division), 5: 17-cv-00234 and In Re: Qualcomm Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 5: 17-MD-02773-
LHK. In addition, OEMs have instituted proceedings against Qualcomm for its anticompetitive
conduct: Apple Inc. v. Qualcomm Incorporated, United States District Court for the Southern
District of California, 3: 17-cv-00108.
13. The Plaintiffs brings this action on their own behalf and on behalf of others similarly
situated to recover for their injuries from Qualcomm' s tortious and wrongful conduct. The
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Plaintiffs and Class members seek general damages, restitution, or - in the alternative -
disgorgement of Qualcomm' s profits from its wrongdoing.
Parties
14. The Plaintiff David Barroqueiro is a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia. He
purchased a Moto GS Plus cellular phone in July 2017 for personal use, for approximate $330.
The phone contains a Qualcomm modem chipset.
15. The Plaintiff Ryan Kett is a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia. He purchased an
iPhone 7 in September 2016 for personal use, for over $1,000. The phone contains a Qualcomm
modem chipset.
16. Qualcomm is both a developer of Modem Chipset technology and owner of patents, as
well as a manufacturer and distribution of Modem Chipsets. Qualcomm develops, designs,
licenses, and markets worldwide its digital communications products and services, primarily
through its two main business segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies ("QCT") and
Qualcomm Technology Licensing ("QTL"). QCT deals with equipment sales while QTL
engages in licensing of patents and technology. QCT is operated by Qualcomm Technologies,
Inc. ("QTI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm. QTL, grants licences or otherwise
provides rights to use portions of Qualcomm's patent portfolio.
17. QCT, QTL and QTI work with Qualcomm as a joint enterprise. As described above, each
has a distinct role in the design, manufacturing, licensing and distribution of Qualcomm' s
Modem Chipsets and SEPs. This pleading refers to QCT, QTL, QTI and Qualcomm Incorporated
collectively as "Qualcomm". Qualcomm carries on business in British Columbia and
worldwide. Qualcomm and QTI are incorporated under the laws of Delaware with an address for
service at 5775 Morehouse Drive, San Diego CA 92121 USA.
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Factual Background
A. SSOs, SEPs, and FRAND Obligations
18. Interoperability and compatibility are critical for modern electronic devices. Although
users may take for granted that their cellular devices will be able to connect wirelessly to their
cellular network and the Internet, interoperability does not happen by chance. Each component
of a cellular network (such as those operated by Rogers, Bell and Telus), and, by extension, each
component of mobile wireless devices using that cellular network, must work with other
components, regardless of which company made each component.
19. A cellular telephone contains a "modem chipset" (also called a baseband processor)-the
core electronic unit that allows it to transmit and receive information (either telephone calls or
data) to and from the wireless network. Specifically, modem chipsets transmit information, via
radio waves, to cellular base stations. Base stations, in turn, transmit information to and from
telephone and computer networks. It is essential that all components involved in this
transmission of information be able to communicate seamlessly with one another.
20. Because of the multitude of devices, device designers, component manufacturers, and
others must agree to uniform standards to ensure the smooth operation of the cellular network
and the cellular devices that connect to it. To achieve this, cellular network carriers, chipset
manufacturers, cellular device manufacturers, and others participate in SSOs.
21. SSOs are independent, non-governmental international organizations, based in different
countries around the world, but with global reach. Multiple SSOs may issue overlapping and
interrelated standards relating to the same field of technology. SSOs that create standards in the
field of mobile wireless telephony include the European Telecommunications Standard Institute
("ETSI"), the International Telecommunications Union ("ITU"), and the Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers ("IEEE"). Modem chipset designers and manufacturers, including
Qualcomm and Intel, are also members of SSOs, including ETSI, ITU and IEEE. OEMs, namely
device manufacturers like Samsung and Apple, and others, are members of SSOs, including
ETSI, ITU and IEEE.
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22. SSOs create standards and technical specifications for the use and operation of particular
technologies. The technology incorporated into a standard is typically chosen from among
different options. These options may include technology patented by individual companies. Once
incorporated and widely adopted, that technology is not always used because it is the best or the
only option; it is used because the use of that technology is necessary to comply with the agreed
upon standard. Competition within that technology market is thereby eliminated, as competing
technologies are no longer available as alternative means of implementing the standard.
23. A company whose patented technology has been included in or is proposed for inclusion
in a standard can "declare" its patent to be an SEP for that standard. A patent that is not declared
an SEP is unlikely to be incorporated into a standard. Declaring a patent as an SEP brings
benefits to the SEP holder in the form of wide-spread use of the technology and the resulting
royalties. However, the voluntary decision to declare a patent to be an SEP imposes obligations
on an SEP holder, as set out below.
24. To implement a technological standard, a device made to conform with the standard will
usually need to incorporate any patented inventions on which the standard is based.
Consequently, OEMs manufacturing products containing the patented technology generally need
to license the SEP from the SEP holder to be compliant with the applicable standard and to have
a legal right to use the SEP.
25. Competition law recognizes that under certain circumstances, collaboration by industry
participants can increase competition, innovation, product quality, and consumer choice. For
example, in this context, collaboration allows consumers to have confidence that cellular devices
bought from different manufacturers will operate with each other and with the cellular network
that they choose. Similarly, common standards allow component manufacturers, carriers, and
others in the industry to invest in technological advancement with confidence that their products
will work with wireless networks.
26. However, standards can pose challenges to OEMs and can involve trade-offs for
consumers. Once a standard is adopted, participants begin to make investments tied to the
implementation of the standard. Because these participants may face substantial switching costs
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in abandoning initial designs and substituting a different technology, an entire industry can
become "locked in" to a standard.
27. The adoption of SEPs into technological standards also enhances the potential for
extortion by the patent owner. "Patent hold-up" occurs when the holder of an SEP demands
excessive royalties after companies are locked into using a standard. Where standardized
technologies are covered by patents, companies that have chosen to implement a standard have
no choice but to license those patents and accept the licensor's unreasonable and unfair terms or
face a lawsuit if they use the technology without a licence.
28. To help alleviate these potential concerns, before agreeing to a particular standard, SSOs
seek assurances from patent owners. Specifically, SSOs require SEP holders to agree to license
their patents as SEPs on FRAND terms.
29. These commitments are usually contained in SSOs' "Intellectual Property Rights"
("IPR") policies. Members of the SSOs agree to respect SSO IPR policies as a condition of their
membership. In addition, patent holders make specific commitments to respect IPR policies
when they declare a patent to be an SEP.
30. IPR policies require SEP holders to license their SEPs on FRAND terms. Specifically,
FRAND terms require SEP holders to:
a. license the relevant SEPs;
b. to any party entitled to seek a license;
c. on terms, including royalty terms, that are
i. fair;
n. reasonable; and
iii. non-discriminatory ("FRAND Commitments").
31. Once a patent holder has agreed to FRAND Commitments, it is bound by them.
32. FRAND Commitments are more than just a matter of a private contract between owners
of technology, on the one hand, and SSOs and their other members, on the other. When an SEP
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holder makes an FRAND Commitment to an SSO, implementers of the standard at issue,
including OEMs, and their customers, are beneficiaries of that promise. The SSO also benefits
from the FRAND Commitments. FRAND Commitments are enforceable by SSOs and their
members, including OEMs, as well as by other beneficiaries.
33. Qualcomm made FRAND Commitments in relation to its Modem Chipset SEPs.
34. In particular, IEEE, ITU, and ETSI impose conditions on SEP holders in the modem
chipset industry, through their IPR policies. At material times, the following specific
commitments were parts of the FRAND Commitments in the modem chipset industry:
a. Under IEEE-SA Standards Board Bylaws, Clause 6, a patent holder intending to
assert an essential patent claim was required to submit a letter of assurance that it would
make available a licence for its essential patents to an unrestricted number of applicants
on a worldwide basis without compensation or under reasonable rates, with other
reasonable terms and conditions that are demonstrably free of any unfair discrimination,
for use in conforming with the IEEE standard;
b. Under ETSI Rules of Procedure, Annex 6, a patent holder intending to assert an
essential patent claim was required to provide an irrevocable undertaking in writing that
it was prepared to grant irrevocable licences on FRAND terms and conditions, for use in
conforming with ETSI standards; and
c. Under ITU Guidelines for Implementation of the Common Patent Policy for ITU
T/ITU-R/ISO/IEC, a patent holder intending to assert an essential patent claim was
required to provide a licensing declaration that it was prepared to grant a licence to an
unrestricted number of applicants on a worldwide, non-discriminatory basis and on
reasonable terms and conditions, for use in conforming with ITU standards.
35. At all material times, Qualcomm is and has been a member of and an SEP holder in each
of ITU, ETSI and IEEE, as well as in other SSOs in the modem chipset industry. Qualcomm
agreed to each of the conditions in the preceding paragraph in relation to its Modem Chipset
SEPs as part of its FRAND Commitments.
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B. The Modern Cellular Industry
36. Wireless standards have evolved in distinct generations, as consumers demanded more
features and the industry responded by developing new innovations. The following graphic,
created by Qualcomm, shows the evolution of this technology:
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37. First-generation standards (lG) were introduced in the 1980s. Second-generation
standards (20) were introduced in about 1991. Third-generation standards (30) were introduced
in 1998, and became widely commercially available in 2001. Fourth-generation standards ( 4G
and "Long Term Evolution" or LTE) were introduced in 2008. CDMA standards have been
employed throughout each of these generations.
38. Following the first generation of cellular technology, the cellular industry developed
second generation (20) cellular technology, from which two primary technology paths, or
families of standards, emerged: (1) CDMA; and (2) "GSM," which stands for "global system for
mobility." CDMA is a channel access method used by various radio communication
technologies. CDMA is used as the access method in many mobile phone standards. GSM is
another digital mobile telephony system that is widely used in Europe and much of Asia, other
than Japan and South Korea. Cellular telephone service providers operated under one or the other
path. The CDMA and GSM technology paths are not interoperable; in other words, equipment
and technologies designed to be compatible with one standard cannot be used for the other
standard.
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39. Mobile devices are configured for a particular carrier, like Rogers, Bell or Telus, and thus
chipsets designed for a particular wireless device must conform to the standard technology
chosen for the carrier's associated network. In other words, CDMA-based networks demand
chipsets that conform to the CDMA standard, and GSM networks require chipsets that conform
to the GSM standard. As a result, chipsets that comply with a given standard are not substitutes
for chipsets that comply with other standards. Downstream consumers purchase cellular devices
that include chipsets configured to operate using the standards chosen for a particular network.
Once purchased, those consumers are inextricably tied to that standard for use of that device.
Similarly, because of the high costs of infrastructure, a carrier is essentially locked in to a
standard once they have invested in it. They cannot switch standards quickly or easily, even to
avoid abusive practices.
40. Qualcomm pioneered the development of CDMA technology beginning in the 1980s. As
a result, it controlled, and continues to control, the market for such technology, initially selling
90% of the modem chipsets that go into CDMA-compatible phones and continuing to control
over 80% of the market. Additionally, Qualcomm amassed many patents related to this standard.
41. Consequently, virtually any company that makes CDMA products-be they chipsets,
phones, or infrastructure gear-has to obtain a licence from Qualcomm. Licensees pay a one
time fee for access to the patent portfolio and then royalties based on the final product sold by
the licensee (e.g., a smartphone). Nearly all wireless companies have signed patent licences with
Qualcomm.
42. Qualcomm's royalty stream has continued in the technologies standardized in third
generation ("3G") cellular technology. CDMA-based technology has been adopted for all 3G
wireless telephony and broadband standards throughout the world. As a result, Qualcomm has
reaped more than $50 billion in licensing revenues since 2000.
43. As with the prior generation of cellular technology, 30 evolved into two competing
standards-but this time both major standards were based on CDMA. While an improved
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version of CDMA technology was developed, the "Universal Mobile Telecommunications
Service" ("UMTS") standard was also developed.
44. UMTS uses radio technology called WCDMA, which stands for "Wideband Code
Division Multiple Access." WCDMA technology allows for increased data speed and capacity.
The UMTS standard was adopted by the ITU, ETSI, IEEE, and other SSOs after evaluating
alternative available equipment and technologies. Qualcomm owns the essential patents for the
WCDMA standard. Qualcomm supplies some of the essential technology that the ETSI included
in the UMTS standard and holds IPRs, such as patents, in this technology.
45. The fourth generation of cellular technology (4G) brought with it the "LTE" standard,
which stands for Long Term Evolution of UMTS. Nearly all cellular-enabled devices sold today
support L TE for 4G service. L TE is an "orthogonal frequency division multiple access" or
"OFDMA"-based technology. The LTE standard does not implement CDMA-based
technologies.
46. Like the UMTS technology before it, the arrival of L TE has not significantly impacted
Qualcomm's control over the modem chipset market or the power of its licensing business.
Qualcomm holds a leading and valuable patent portfolio that applies to LTE technologies,
including OFDMA, and over 90 major companies (including LG, Nokia, and Samsung) have
royalty-bearing licences under Qualcomm's patent portfolio for use in OFDMA products.
Additionally, many of the 4G-based cellular devices still implement CDMA technology to be
backwards-compatible with CDMA-based technologies that are still in use today. Qualcomm
exclusively supplies multimode CDMA-L TE chipsets that are backward compatible with
CDMA.
Qualcomm 's Wrongdoing in the Modem Chipset Industry
47. ETSI, IEEE and ITU and other SSOs required a commitment from vendors whose
technologies are included in the CDMA and successor standards to license their technologies on
FRAND terms.
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48. Qualcomm agreed to accept FRAND Commitments in relation to its Modem Chipset
SEPs.
49. Despite this undertaking, Qualcomm has breached its FRAND Commitments.
50. Qualcomm has leveraged its control over the supply of modem chipsets to force OEMs
into license agreements. Because OEMs need CDMA- and LTE-based chipsets (controlled by
Qualcomm) to be able to operate with CDMA- and LTE-based networks, OEMs have to accept
unreasonable licence terms dictated by Qualcomm, in breach of its FRAND Commitments.
Qualcomm' s status as both a Modem Chipset manufacturer and intellectual property licensor has
given it an unparalleled ability to collect licensing fees simply by denying physical delivery of
the modem chipsets.
51. Qualcomm uses its SEPs to require OEMs and others to license its entire patent portfolio,
which includes non-SEPs as well. Non-SEPs refer to patents that are either not essential to the
realization of a standard or replaceable in their functionalities through design-around or
avoidance design. There is no requirement by SSOs that non-SEPs be licensed on FRAND terms.
By putting both SEPs and non-SEPs into one license, Qualcomm attempts to avoid its obligation
to set SEP licence terms on an FRAND basis. Qualcomm forces OEMs to purchase licences for
technology that they do not require, in order to comply with CDMA standards. In doing so,
Qualcomm can charge excessive and unfairly high royalties to any licensees that were forced to
accept the packaged patent licenses. This is a breach of Qualcomm' s FRAND Commitments.
52. Even where Qualcomm sells its own chips, it requires purchasers to agree to its license
agreements-which include the royalty rate based on the selling price of the device. Essentially,
cellular devices today are unable to connect to their network without paying a royalty to
Qualcomm. Qualcomm' s royalty rates are significantly higher than others in the industry.
Qualcomm' s rate base is also part of what makes Qualcomm' s royalties so abusive. Qualcomm
admits that its royalties are generally based upon a percentage of the wholesale (i.e. licensee's)
selling price of complete licensed products. Using the entire value of an end product is not a
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reasonable basis for calculating SEP-based royalties. The royalties obtained in this way are
neither fair, nor reasonable. This is in breach of Qualcomm's FRAND Commitments.
53. In addition, Qualcomm has put in place a "no licence, no chips" policy. Under that
policy, Qualcomm withholds its Modem Chipsets unless an OEM also accepts a licence for SEPs
on terms preferred by Qualcomm, including elevated royalties that the OEM must pay when
using competitors' processors. By its words or its conduct, including its public and private
statements, Qualcomm threatens to withhold its Modem Chipsets from OEMs, without which
they cannot manufacturer cellular devices. Qualcomm threatens OEMs with economic ruin
unless they meet its onerous terms. This policy, Qualcomm' s public and private statements, and
Qualcomm's licensing practices constitute threats to OEMs, made without lawful justification or
excuse, to induce the OEMs to enter into licence agreements on Qualcomm's unfair,
unreasonable and unlawful terms ("Threats"). The Threats are a breach of Qualcomm's FRAND
Commitments.
54. Because OEMs need to use Qualcomm's technology for their devices to communicate
with the major carrier networks, and for them to be saleable to consumers, they are forced to
agree to Qualcomm' s unfair, unreasonable and unlawful licensing terms. As a result of the
Threats, OEMs have entered into licensing agreements for the SEPs with Qualcomm on unfair
and unreasonable terms, in breach of Qualcomm's FRAND Commitments ("Unfair
Agreements").
55. Because of the Unfair Agreements, OEMs cannot purchase chipsets from Qualcomm's
competitors without also paying royalties to Qualcomm. Some OEMs have agreed to deal
exclusively or near-exclusively with Qualcomm on the purchase of its Modem Chipsets to
reduce their royalty burden. Since 2007, Apple has entered into agreements to deal exclusively
with Qualcomm in exchange for partial relief from Qualcomm' s standard royalties. Samsung has
also entered into a similar exclusive arrangement with Qualcomm. These exclusive arrangements
are a breach of Qualcomm' s FRAND Commitments to license on fair and non-discriminatory
terms to anyone entitled to license its SEPs.
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56. In addition, Qualcomm refused to license its Modem Chipset SEPs to competitors who
themselves manufacture Modem Chipsets. In breach of Qualcomm' s FRAND Commitments to
license on fair and non-discriminatory terms, Qualcomm ignored or refused requests from
competitors, including Samsung and Intel, to license Qualcomm' s Modem Chipset SEPs. If
Qualcomm did grant SEP licenses to its competitors, Qualcomm would not be able to use the
threat of disruption of supply of Modem Chipsets against those competitors in the way it does
against OEMs. Further, the availability of Modem Chipsets from another source would
undermine Qualcomm's ability to extort OEMs through its "no license, no chips" policy.
57. Qualcomm's wrongful conduct took place in the United States and elsewhere in the
world, where OEMs and SSOs are headquartered or carry on business, and where OEMs enter
into contractual arrangements with Qualcomm. Qualcomm's wrongful conduct has caused loss to
OEMs and to SSOs and their members. Qualcomm· s wrongful conduct caused loss to Canadian
purchasers of the affected cellular devices.
C. Consumers are Harmed as a Direct Result of Qualcomm's Conduct
58. In breach of its FRAND Commitments, Qualcomm has abused its position to force OEMs
and other licensees to pay excessively high royalties, among other things, which has directly
resulted in harm to the Plaintiffs and Class members because it resulted in them paying higher
prices for their devices containing chipsets than they would have in the absence of Qualcomm' s
wrongful conduct.
59. Cellular devices are commodity products that consumers purchase as stand-alone
products. Consumers buy cellular devices either from the direct purchaser OEMs such as Apple
and Samsung, through network carriers such as Rogers, Bell and Telus, or through other
resellers.
60. OEMs, network carriers and other resellers are subject to vigorous.price competition, and
as a result, they do not absorb all of Qualcomm's unlawful royalties which are a percentage of
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the wholesale cost of the device itself. Instead, they pass along some, or all, of the excessive
royalty to consumers.
61. Ultimately, Qualcomm, the Plaintiffs and Class members are all participants in the
cellular device market. the Plaintiffs and Class members are consumers of such devices.
Qualcomm licenses technology essential to the operation of cellular devices and obtains profits
tied directly to the entire wholesale price of the cellular devices at issue in this litigation. As a
result, Qualcomm's anticompetitive acts, as alleged herein, directly distorted the price of the
cellular devices paid by the Plaintiffs and Class members. Indeed, the Plaintiffs and Class
members may not use the cellular devices at issue in this litigation without the licences provided
by Qualcomm.
62. Through its actions, Qualcomm intended to cause economic harm to the Plaintiffs and
Class members as a necessary means of enriching itself. In particular, Qualcomm's decision to
tie its royalty regime to the wholesale pricing of cellular devices was intended to harm the
Plaintiffs and Class members as a necessary means of enriching itself at their expense.
63. As a result of Qualcomm's unlawful conduct, the Plaintiffs and Class members have been
forced to pay supracompetitive prices for cellular devices when they purchase a device
containing a Qualcomm Modem Chipset ("Overcharge"). Qualcomm receives the Overcharge
from the Plaintiffs and Class members indirectly through OEMs, network carriers and other
resellers.
Part 2: RELIEF SOUGHT
64. An order certifying this action as a class proceeding;
65. General damages for the tort of unlawful means;
66. An accounting and restitution of the benefit received by Qualcomm in the full amount of
the Overcharge;
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67. In the alternative, disgorgement of all profits received by Qualcomm to the full amount of
the Overcharge;
68. Damages under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, SBC 2004, c. 2, s.
171 ("BPCPA");
69. Punitive damages;
70. Interest under the Court Order Interest Act, RSBC 1996, c 79; and
71. Such further and other relief as this Honourable Court may deem just.
Part 3: LEGAL BASIS Unlawful Means Tort
72. Qualcomm has committed the tort of unlawful means.
73. By its conduct set out at paragraphs 48-58, Qualcomm intended to economically injure
the Plaintiffs and Class members as a means to enrich itself.
74. Qualcomm acted unlawfully against third parties in order to inflict economic injury on
the Plaintiffs and Class members. Qualcomm actions were unlawful as follows (the "Unlawful
Acts"):
a. By its conduct set out at paragraphs 48-58, Qualcomm has breached the antitrust
laws of the United States. The Plaintiffs plead and rely on the following foreign statutes
("Breach of Foreign Law"):
i. Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §2;
ii. Clayton Act l 5 U.S.C. §3;
iii. FI'C Act: and
iv. State antitrust laws, including inter alia the California Business and
Professions Code § 16700 et seq (Cartwright Act); New York General
Business Laws § 340 et seq (Donnelly Act);
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b. By its conduct set out at paragraphs 33, 35, 48-58, Qualcomm has breached its
FRAND Commitments to SSOs, OEMs, Modem Chipset competitors, and other licensees
or potential licensees of its Modem Chipset SEPs.
75. As set out at paragraphs 48-63, the OEMs and Modem Chipset competitors have or
would have suffered loss as a result of the Unlawful Acts by Qualcomm. As set out at paragraphs
48-58, the SSOs have or would have suffered loss as a result of the breach of FRAND
Commitments by Qualcomm.
76. OEMs, Modem Chipset competitors, and SSOs would have a cause of action against
Qualcomm for breach of FRAND Commitments under Canadian law through a claim of breach
of contract or fraud on the SSOs, and under the law of the United States for conduct that took
place in that jurisdiction. OEMs, Modem Chipset competitors, and SSOs would have a cause of
action for Breach of Foreign Law under the law of the United States for conduct that took place
in that jurisdiction. Indeed, as set out at paragraph 12, Apple has instituted proceedings in the
United States against Qualcomm for its wrongful conduct, and Intel and Samsung have joined in
FTC proceedings against Qualcomm. In addition, OEMs would have a cause of action against
Qualcomm for the tort of intimidation as a result of the unlawful Threats.
77. As set out at paragraphs 59-63, the Plaintiffs and Class members have suffered loss and
damage from the Unlawful Acts by Qualcomm in the form of the Overcharge.
78. The Plaintiffs and Class members are entitled to damages against Qualcomm in the full
amount of the Overcharge.
79. In the alternative, the Plaintiffs and Class Members waive the tort and elects to pursue
restitutionary remedies against Qualcomm. Qualcomm must disgorge to the Plaintiffs and Class
Members an amount equal to the Overcharge from the sales of cellular devices containing
Modem Chipsets in British Columbia.
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Unjust Enrichment
80. As set out at paragraphs 59-63, Qualcomm has been enriched by the receipt of the
Overcharge from the Plaintiffs and Class members.
81. The Plaintiffs and Class members have been deprived through the payment of the
Overcharge to Qualcomm.
82. There is no juristic reason why Qualcomm should have received or should retain the
benefit of the payment of the Overcharge. The Unlawful Acts negate any juristic reason why
Qualcomm should have received or should retain the benefit of the payment of the Overcharge.
83. In addition, by its conduct set out at paragraphs 50-55, Qualcomm has committed
extortion against the OEMs, in breach of s. 346 of the Criminal Code of Canada, RSC 1985, c C-
46. In particular, Qualcomm committed extortion by making the Threats to the OEMs, without
reasonable justification or excuse and with intent to obtain benefit for itself, to induce them to
enter the Unfair Agreements ("Extortion"). The Extortion negates any juristic reason why
Qualcomm should have received or should retain the benefit of the payment of the Overcharge.
84. In addition or in the alternative, by its conduct set out at paragraphs 50-55, Qualcomm
has attempted by its Threats to commit extortion against the OEMs, in breach of the Criminal
Code, s. 463. The attempted Extortion negates any juristic reason why Qualcomm should have
received or should retain the benefit of the payment of the Overcharge.
85. As a result, Qualcomm has been unjustly enriched by the benefit it received from the
Plaintiffs and the Class members in the form of the Overcharge.
86. The Plaintiffs and Class members are entitled to restitution of the benefit received by
Qualcomm from them, in the full amount of the Overcharge.
87. In the alternative, justice and good conscience require that Qualcomm disgorge to the
Plaintiffs and Class Members an amount equal to the Overcharge from the sales of cellular
devices containing Modem Chipsets in British Columbia.
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Punitive Damages
88. As set out at paragraphs 6, 49-63, Qualcomm's misconduct was malicious, oppressive
and high-handed, and departed to a marked degree from ordinary standards of decent behaviour.
Qualcomm' s actions offend the moral standards of the community and warrant the condemnation
of the Court such that an award of punitive damages should be made.
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act
89. The Plaintiffs and some Class members are "consumers" within the meaning of s. 1 of the
BPCPA.
90. Qualcomm is a "supplier", within the meaning of s. 1 of the BPCP A.
91. Modem Chipsets are "goods" within the meaning of s. 1 of the BPCPA.
92. The manufacture, distribution and sale of cellular devices containing Modem Chipsets are
"consumer transaction[ s ]", within the meaning of s. 1 of the BPCP A.
93. The Plaintiffs and some Class members purchased their cellular devices for purposes that
are primarily personal, family or household, within the meaning of s. 1(1) of the BPCPA.
94. By its conduct set out at paragraphs 59-63, Qualcomm breached ss. 8 and 9 of the
BPCPA. Qualcomm's actions constitute unfair and unconscionable business practices.
95. As set out at paragraphs 59-63, the Plaintiffs and Class members have suffered loss and
damage within the meaning of s. 171 as a result of Qualcomm' s contraventions of the BPCP A. In
particular, the Plaintiffs and Class members have suffered the loss through payment of the
Overcharge.
96. Qualcomm engaged in or acquiesced to the contraventions that caused the loss and
damage to the Plaintiffs and Class Members, within the meaning of s. 171 of the BPCPA.
97. The Plaintiffs and Class Members are entitled to an order for damages under s. 171 of the
BPCPA.
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Joint Enterprise
98. The Defendants functioned as a joint enterprise fo r the development, manufacturing,
licensing, distribution and sale of their products. The Defendants divided among themselves
certain responsibilities for the development, manufacturing, licensing, sale and distribution of
Qualcomm's Modem Chipsets and SEPs. Within this joint enterprise, the Defendants
individually and jointly developed, manufactured, licensed, sold and distributed Qualcomm 's
Modem Chipsets and SEPs.
Service ex juris
99. The Plaintiffs have the right to serve this Notice of Civil Claim on Qualcomm pursuant to
the Court Jurisdiction and Proceedings Trans.fer Act, SBC 2003, c 28, s. I 0, because there is a
real and substantial connection between British Columbia and the facts on which this proceeding
is based.
I 00. The Plaintiffs rely on the fo llowing grounds, in that this action concerns:
a. Restitutionary obligations that, to a substantial extent, arose in British Columbia (CJPTA , s l O(f); b. a tort committed in British Columbia (CJPTA, s I O(g)); and c. a business carried on in British Columbia (CJPTA, s 1 O(h)).
Plaintiffs' address for service: KJein Lawyers LLP 1385 W 8th Ave #400 Vancouver, BC V6H 3V9
Place of trial: Vancouver, BC
The address of the registry is: 800 Smithe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E l
Date: November 27, 20 I 7
2 1
Signature of lawyer fo r plaintiff David A. Klein
Rule 7-1 (1) of the Supreme Court Civil Rules states:
(1) Unless all parties of record consent or the court otherwise orders, each party of record
to an action must, within 35 days after the end of the pleading period,
(a) prepare a list of documents in Form 22 that lists
(i) all documents that are or have been in the party's possession or control
and that could, if available, be used by any party at trial to prove or
disprove a material fact, and
(ii) all other documents to which the party intends to refer at trial, and
(b) serve the list on all parties of record.
Appendix
[The following information is provided for data collection purposes only and is of no legal
effect.]
Part 1: CONCISE SUMMARY OF NATURE OF CLAIM:
This is a claim for damages and disgorgement at common law for unjust enrichment and the
unlawful means tort arising out of the defendant's business practices in the modem chipset
industry.
Part 2: THIS CLAIM ARISES FROM THE FOLLOWING:
A personal injury arising out of:
[ ] a motor vehicle accident
[ ] medical malpractice
[ ] another cause
A dispute concerning:
[ ] contaminated sites
[ ] construction defects
[ ] real property (real estate)
[ ] personal property
[x] the provision of goods or services or other general commercial matters
[ ] investment losses
[ ] the lending of money
[ ] an employment relationship
[ ] a will or other issues concerning the probate of an estate
[ ] a matter not listed here
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Part 3: TIDS CLAIM INVOLVES:
[x] a class action
Part 4:
[ ] maritime law
[ ] aboriginal law
[ ] constitutional law
[ ] conflict of laws
[ ] none of the above
[ ] do not know
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, SBC 2004, c 2 Criminal Code of Canada Court Jurisdiction and Proceedings Transfer Act, SBC 2003, c 28 Court Order Interest Act, RSBC 1996, c 79
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