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According to a story issued by Reuters, Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) is using a software patch as a work-around to bypass the ITC ban on imports of mobile phones using a Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) chip that allegedly infringes on a Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM) technology patent. According to the way the story reads, it would seem that Sprint is assuming a lot of blue sky scenarios for itself. The comment by Sprint product manager Brita Horton, smacks of "in your face" corporate complacency. Brita Horton said that Sprint is unaffected by the ban and can bring out as many new devices as it wants. She bases the company's attitude upon a software "update" received from Qualcomm, which the chip maker itself concedes, would not be a guaranteed solution.
Additionally, there's no word from Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) or Vodafone Group (London: VOD) confirming that those companies have also received software patches or have considered another work-around. Sine both companies are to be as deeply affected as Sprint by the import ban, one might hazard to suppose that both companies would quickly jump on a patch if it truly were a viable solution.
I'm sitting here thinking that Sprint just might be running a serious gambit right now in the form of a patch with dubious application suitability. The whole situation hints at the kind of thing you've seen when a kid plays one parent against the other:
" Yeah Dad, Mom said it would be fine!"
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-26-2007 @ 11:43AM
goliath said...
Dude. A chip has firmware/software come with it. The patent violation concerns some power management feather in the software. Please don't base your judgment or whatever on sth you don't know.
6-26-2007 @ 1:51PM
tomtjm@aol.com said...
re: chip patch --work around
dear gary sattler,
your comments and views on the functionality of electronic devices and the relationship of hardware/software/firmward exposes your lack of technical knowledge.
It todays world of PLD's (programable Logic Devices - "CHIPS") operate the majority of devices today. They could be made function in countless differing ways by simply reprogramming the software!
get some help gary, most people know this!
6-26-2007 @ 2:02PM
Gary E. Sattler said...
Obviously the import ban is a hoax.
I'll consider informing the International Trade Commission of that.
6-27-2007 @ 12:41AM
Saterley said...
You don't know about a patch for the instructions on a chip yet you continue to write biased comments on such things. Get another job.
6-27-2007 @ 12:57AM
tomtjm said...
gary
the alleged infringement is based on the similiar way that your BRCM chip and our QCOM chip conserve power when out of cell range.
thru software we can do similar functions in a different way thus abiding by the trade commissions ruling.) when you admit you don't know something(patch -- "thats a new one on me") why defame without any technical comprehension ?
6-27-2007 @ 12:58AM
tomtjm said...
gary
this will kill you, but ....
your BRCM chip and our QCOM chip conserve power when out of cell range the same way. the trade commission alleges a violation of infringement. thru software QCOM can change the way their chip performs the same function. Its not the phone gary or the chip but the way they are used thats in violation. And that function can be changed with a patch or work-around or whatever you want to call it.