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Close to 30 million individuals in the Britain who acquired an Apple and/or Samsung Electronics mobile phone between the year 2015 to 2024 may be able to about seventeen pounds per person should a customer campaign group prevails in its legal action against the American technology firm Qualcomm.

Trial Starts On Monday

The consumer group is bringing the technology corporation to the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London this week.

The case between the advocacy organization and Qualcomm is expected to continue for over a month.

The body is alleging the tech firm of anti-competitive practices.

The group asserts that the firm forced Apple and Samsung to pay high fees and royalty payments for essential mobile hardware, which then raised the cost of those mobile phones for buyers.

Key Points the Trial Will Examine

The case beginning this week will examine whether the chipmaker possessed control and, if proven, whether it misused a powerful stance.

In the event that the advocacy organization is successful in its claim, there will be a follow-up phase requesting £480m from Qualcomm, to be divided between an estimated 29 million British smartphone users involved.

The consumer group is pursuing restitution for all impacted Apple & Samsung handsets acquired between 1 October 2015 and 9 January 2024.

The watchdog says this would probably work out at approximately seventeen pounds per individual.

Earlier Cases and Qualcomm's Statement

Qualcomm has previously stated the legal action has "no foundation".

A parallel case against Qualcomm is in progress in Canada, and the firm has also previously been sanctioned by the European Union for antitrust practices.

The Federal Trade Commission in the America sued the corporation for unfair practices in the way it sold rights to its innovations during 2017, but had its case rejected in the year 2020.

Impact of the Trial

The head of the watchdog stated: "This case is a significant event. It shows how the collective strength of consumers - supported by the group - can be used to require the biggest companies to account when they exploit their market power."

Qualcomm is one of the leading producers of mobile processors and has faced allegations about unfair practices in the past.

• Qualifying smartphones include Apple Inc. & Samsung models bought between 2015 and 2024.
• The claimed amount being sought is 480 million pounds.
• Individual payout is estimated to be around £17.
• The trial is proceeding at the specialist court in London.