Qualcomm in 'advanced' settlement talks with Broadcom

US wireless technology titan Qualcomm delayed the release of its quarterly results on Wednesday, saying it was in "advanced" settlement talks with Broadcom over a long-running patent dispute.

The San Diego, California-based Qualcomm said it had rescheduled the release of its second quarter earnings to Monday.

It said the postponement was due to "advanced settlement discussions with Broadcom regarding a global settlement of all disputes between the parties."

Qualcomm said "no assurance can be given that the company and Broadcom will be able to reach agreement on the terms of a global settlement" but if they did it "would have an impact on the company's financial results."

Qualcomm said that "revenue and operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, excluding the potential impact of the Broadcom agreement, met or exceeded prior guidance."

Qualcomm had said previously that it expected revenue to decline by six percent to 14 percent during the period.

Qualcomm, whose chips are widely used in mobile phones, was found to have infringed on Broadcom patents in 2007 but a later ruling was favorable to Qualcomm.

(c) 2009 AFP