Arm Terminates Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Chip Manufacturing License

The conflict between Arm and Qualcomm began in 2021 when Qualcomm acquired Nuvia, a startup focused on creating high-performance processors for data centers and laptops.

Introduction

A new chapter has opened in the ongoing legal battle between chip design giant Arm Ltd. and semiconductor powerhouse Qualcomm. Arm has issued a 60-day notice to Qualcomm, threatening to revoke its chip design license. This move stems from a long-standing dispute following Qualcomm’s acquisition of Nuvia in 2021.

The disagreement could have major implications not only for the two companies but also for the broader smartphone and semiconductor industries.

Key Points:

  1. Arm issues 60-day notice to Qualcomm, signaling a potential license cancellation.
  2. The dispute dates back to Qualcomm’s acquisition of Nuvia in 2021.
  3. Qualcomm made $18.8 billion in smartphone revenue over the past nine months but is facing market challenges.
  4. Arm dominates 99% of the $30 billion mobile application royalty market.
  5. The potential license cancellation could disrupt Qualcomm’s chip supply and impact the global smartphone market.

Background of the Dispute

The conflict between Arm and Qualcomm began in 2021 when Qualcomm acquired Nuvia, a startup focused on creating high-performance processors for data centers and laptops.

This acquisition aimed to help Qualcomm diversify its business beyond smartphones, particularly in the competitive laptop market, where Apple’s custom-designed M1 chip had made waves.

However, Arm argued that Qualcomm could not simply transfer Nuvia’s Arm-based chip design licenses without renegotiation.

This disagreement led to legal proceedings in 2022, with Arm accusing Qualcomm of breaching its licensing agreement.

Now, with a 60-day notice of potential license termination, the stakes are higher than ever. Arm’s designs power most of the global smartphone processors, meaning that the cancellation of Qualcomm’s license could significantly disrupt the industry.

Arm’s Dominance in the Smartphone Market

Arm’s chip architecture is the backbone of most smartphones worldwide. In 2023 alone, 28.6 billion chips based on Arm designs were shipped, making Arm an indispensable player in the global semiconductor market.

The company controls nearly 99% of the $30 billion mobile application royalty market, reflecting its dominance in the industry.

Beyond smartphones, Arm’s designs are also used in data centers, automotive technology, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Given its vast influence, any dispute involving Arm has the potential to shake the foundations of the tech world.

The Licensing Issue

At the heart of the conflict is the question of licensing. Arm’s business model revolves around licensing its intellectual property (IP) to companies like Qualcomm, which then use Arm’s designs to create their own chips.

However, following Qualcomm’s acquisition of Nuvia, Arm claimed that Nuvia’s licenses could not be automatically transferred to Qualcomm without explicit approval.

This disagreement led to a lawsuit filed by Arm in 2022, accusing Qualcomm of breaching the terms of its agreement.

Arm’s recent 60-day notice to Qualcomm signals that the chip design company is serious about defending its IP rights and may not back down without a legal fight.

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Qualcomm’s Revenue and Diversification Efforts

Qualcomm’s revenue from smartphone sales reached $18.8 billion in the past nine months. However, the company has faced challenges in the smartphone market, particularly in regions like China, where consumer demand has slowed.

In response, Qualcomm has been actively working to diversify its business and reduce its reliance on smartphones, which remain highly sensitive to macroeconomic conditions.

The acquisition of Nuvia in 2021 was part of this diversification strategy. Qualcomm hoped that Nuvia’s expertise in designing powerful laptop processors would allow it to challenge Apple, Intel, and AMD in the laptop market.

Qualcomm’s Oryon CPUs, which were developed from Nuvia’s designs, are now at the center of the dispute with Arm.

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Qualcomm’s Position on the Dispute

Despite Arm’s actions, Qualcomm remains confident that its legal position is solid. The company has expressed confidence that its rights to use Arm’s chip designs will be upheld in court. Qualcomm has described Arm’s notice as an “attempt to disrupt the legal process” and dismissed Arm’s claims as baseless.

The company believes that the notice will not impact its long-term plans, including its push into the laptop market with Oryon CPUs.

However, if Arm’s license cancellation were to proceed, Qualcomm could face significant disruptions to its chip supply chain.

Snapdragon processors, which dominate the Android smartphone market, rely heavily on Arm’s architecture.

Any interruption in access to these designs could force Qualcomm to seek alternatives, potentially delaying the launch of new products.

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Impact on the Smartphone Industry

The potential cancellation of Qualcomm’s license could have wide-reaching consequences for the global smartphone market.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors are used in smartphones from leading manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Nokia.

A disruption in Qualcomm’s chip production could have major effects. It may cause delays in new smartphone releases. Prices for devices could increase. The industry might struggle to meet demand. This would impact both manufacturers and consumers worldwide.

Additionally, Qualcomm has been a key player in 5G technology, supplying chips for 5G smartphones and infrastructure.

Losing access to Arm’s designs could hinder Qualcomm’s ability to lead the next wave of mobile innovation, creating an opening for competitors like MediaTek to gain market share.

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Broader Implications for the Tech Industry

Beyond smartphones, the Arm-Qualcomm dispute could have ripple effects across the broader tech ecosystem.

Arm’s designs are used in everything from data centers to IoT devices and automotive applications. Companies like Amazon, which use custom Arm-based chips in their data centers, may also feel the impact if the dispute drags on.

Furthermore, the conflict raises questions about the future of Arm’s licensing model. If Arm is successful in canceling Qualcomm’s license, it could set a precedent for how the company handles future disputes with other partners.

This could lead to increased scrutiny from regulators, particularly in regions like the U.S. and Europe, where antitrust concerns around the tech industry are on the rise.

Arm’s Post-IPO Strategy

Arm went public in 2023, and the company now faces pressure to deliver strong financial results to its shareholders.

One way Arm is looking to boost revenue is by expanding its direct business model, allowing companies to use its chip designs without relying on intermediaries like Qualcomm.

This strategy could help Arm grow its market share in industries like data centers and automotive, where demand for custom chips is rising.

However, this shift has put Arm at odds with long-time partners like Qualcomm, which have historically relied on Arm’s licensing model.

The dispute over Nuvia’s license is just one example of how Arm’s new approach could lead to conflicts with other companies in the semiconductor space.

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Conclusion

The 60-day notice issued by Arm to Qualcomm marks a critical moment in their ongoing legal battle.

Both companies have a lot to lose, and the outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching consequences for the global smartphone market and the broader tech industry.

Arm’s dominant position in the mobile royalty market and Qualcomm’s efforts to diversify its business make this a high-stakes situation for both firms.

As the two tech giants continue to spar over licensing rights, the tech world is closely watching to see how this dispute will unfold.

The legal battle could ultimately reshape the semiconductor landscape and have significant implications for millions of consumers worldwide.

As the dispute heads towards a potential climax, all eyes remain on Arm and Qualcomm, two tech giants locked in a battle that could reshape the future of chip design and mobile innovation.

Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Priyadarshi is a prominent figure in the world of technology and semiconductors. With a deep passion for innovation and a keen understanding of the intricacies of the semiconductor industry, Kumar has established himself as a thought leader and expert in the field. He is the founder of Techovedas, India’s first semiconductor and AI tech media company, where he shares insights, analysis, and trends related to the semiconductor and AI industries.

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. He couldn’t find joy working in the fab and moved to India. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL)

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