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Close to thirty million consumers in the UK who bought an Apple or Samsung Electronics handset from the year 2015 to the year 2024 might be eligible to around £17 each should a buyer advocacy organization prevails in its legal action against the American tech giant Qualcomm Inc..

Trial Begins Today

The consumer group is escalating the firm to the CAT in London now.

The legal proceedings involving the consumer group and Qualcomm is expected to continue for over a month.

The group is claiming the semiconductor firm of restrictive behavior.

The group asserts that the firm forced Apple & Samsung Electronics to pay inflated prices and royalty payments for essential phone parts, which then pushed up the expense of those mobile phones for buyers.

What the Case Will Determine

The case commencing on Monday will focus on whether Qualcomm had dominance and, if proven, whether it misused a powerful stance.

Should the consumer group is victorious, there will be a second stage seeking 480 million pounds from the tech firm, to be distributed among an estimated 29 million British phone owners affected.

The body is pursuing restitution for all affected Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics smartphones acquired between October 1, 2015 and early January 2024.

The group says this would likely amount at about 17 pounds per person.

Earlier Legal Challenges and Qualcomm's Position

The company has earlier said the case has "no foundation".

A similar case against the tech giant is in progress in Canada, and the corporation has also previously been fined by the European Union for antitrust breaches.

The US regulator in the America filed a case against the company for anti-competitive behavior in the way it authorized use of its technology during the year 2017, but had its claim dismissed in the year 2020.

Importance of the Legal Action

The head of the consumer group commented: "This case is a major milestone. It illustrates how the collective strength of the public - represented by the group - can be used to hold the largest corporations to account should they abuse their leading role."

Qualcomm is one of the largest global manufacturers of handset semiconductors and has encountered claims about unfair practices before.

• Qualifying smartphones include Apple Inc. & Samsung Electronics models purchased between 2015 and the start of 2024.
• The total payout demanded is £480 million.
• Individual payment is projected to be about 17 pounds.
• The case is being held at the CAT in London.