Qualcomm's Allegations Against ARM

In a significant turn in the ongoing rivalry between Qualcomm and ARM, reports have emerged indicating that Qualcomm has lodged antitrust complaints against ARM with regulatory authorities in Europe, South Korea, and the United States. The primary accusation suggests that ARM is allegedly withholding critical technologies that it is supposed to provide under its licensing agreements.

Details of the Complaint

According to sources, Qualcomm asserts that ARM has developed a dependency on its technology through a historically open licensing model, but now seems to be prioritizing profit over market dynamics. Qualcomm's grievances highlight concerns that ARM's focus on increased profitability could disrupt the competitive landscape within the semiconductor industry.

ARM's Manufacturing Aspirations

A key aspect of the dispute may revolve around ARM's evolving ambitions in chip manufacturing. ARM's CEO, Rene Haas, has reportedly acknowledged plans to develop proprietary processors, which would allow ARM to manufacture its own CPUs in collaboration with foundries like TSMC. This move could position ARM in direct competition with Qualcomm and similar companies, a situation that Qualcomm has voiced as a potential conflict of interest.

Background of the Dispute

The tensions between Qualcomm and ARM have been escalating since Qualcomm's acquisition of the startup Nuvia. ARM has expressed strong disapproval of this purchase, arguing that it would result in lost licensing revenues and asserting that Qualcomm should not integrate Nuvia's custom ARM cores into its Snapdragon X processors.

Legal Proceedings and Mediation

In late 2024, ARM faced a setback in U.S. courts when a jury ruled in favor of Qualcomm regarding the use of Nuvia cores. However, a contentious issue remains unresolved: whether Nuvia was permitted to sell its technology to Qualcomm without ARM's consent. This matter is slated for further legal examination. Concurrently, both companies have been directed to engage in out-of-court mediation, with discussions reportedly ongoing since January 2025.

Conclusion

The conflict between Qualcomm and ARM encapsulates broader themes of competition and innovation in the tech industry. As both companies navigate this complex landscape, the outcomes of these legal and regulatory challenges could have far-reaching implications for the semiconductor market.