Intel connected to the battle that unfolded around the Apple-Qualcomm patent dispute, accusing the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phone chips in an attempt to use the courts to destroy competition.

The technology giant made a statement last Thursday in response to a request from the US International Trade Commission (ITC) to assess the investigation into the suit of Qualcomm about the violation of Apple's smartphones in six of its mobile patents.

In particular, Intel said that it was an attempt by Qualcomm to get rid of competition on its part, as it remained the only remaining competitor to Qualcomm in the market of chips for cell phones. "Qualcomm initiated this investigation not to stop the alleged violation of its patent rights, and its statement of claim is an obvious attempt to prevent competition based on the principles of legality by the sole remaining rival," Intel said in a statement.. "This perverted use of the commission process is just the last of a long line of anticompetitive strategies that Qualcomm has used to crush the nascent potential competitors and avoid competition on the merits".

Intel also accused Qualcomm of entering into an agreement with Apple, according to which the iPhone manufacturer can only use its chips in exchange for lower licensing fees, which harms competition. "These measures exclude rivals, such as Intel, from competing for Apple's vital business," said Intel. Intel also claims that meeting Qualcomm's requirements "will cause significant harm to the public interest".

Intel statement - the last salvo in the battle of Qualcomm with Apple. Two companies have been engaged in a patent battle since January 2017, which began after Apple filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm in the US, saying that the chipmaker did not provide her with fair terms for licensing its technologies.

In fairness, it should be noted that in the ITC statement, Intel depicted itself as an unfortunate victim of a monopoly of mobile chips, although in 2014 the EU fined it by 1.06 billion euros for abusing its own monopoly on PC chips, which was expressed in "unfair and harmful practices "In the competitive struggle with AMD.