FTC to Come Back Stronger After Dropping Qualcomm Litigation

The Federal Trade Commission’s decision to drop its antitrust case against Qualcomm Inc. is part of a broader strategy to regroup and build more favorable case law rather than a retreat from this type of litigation, attorneys say.

Appealing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court now could end the FTC’s ability to target companies with similar business models if the justices rule against the agency.

But leaving in place last summer’s ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit means the commission is free to pursue cases similar to Qualcomm in other areas of the country. ...