The update will be shipped to iPhones sold in China

Dec 14, 2018 09:30 GMT  ·  By

Apple will release an iOS update specifically aimed at iPhones sold in China in order to address patent violation claims, the company announced.

Earlier this week, a Chinese court issued a ban on several iPhone models, claiming they infringe on two different Qualcomm software patents.

Despite the alleged patent violation, Apple continued to sell all iPhone models in China, explaining that the said patents only concern older versions of iOS, whereas the latest updates no longer infringe on the said technologies.

Apple is now planning to roll out a software update next week, and it looks like iOS devices that may be running older versions of the operating system could be specifically targeted.

“Based on the iPhone models we offer today in China, we believe we are in compliance,” Apple was quoted as saying in a Reuters report. “Early next week we will deliver a software update for iPhone users in China addressing the minor functionality of the two patents at issue in the case.”

Qualcomm wants to ban all iPhones

Details are missing for now, but Apple is expected to publish more information next week when the iOS update also becomes available.

The court order indicated that models that violate Qualcomm’s patents are iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and older. However, Qualcomm was said to be looking for a similar ban on new-generation iPhones too, including the 2018 models. No ruling in this case has been made yet.

“All iPhone models remain available for our customers in China. Qualcomm is asserting three patents they had never raised before, including one which has already been invalidated. We will pursue all our legal options through the courts,” Apple originally said.

Apple has already appealed the court ruling and said that iPhones would remain on sale in China as new versions of iOS do not infringe on the claimed patents.