A Delaware jury ruled that Arm breached its Architecture License Agreement with Qualcomm and interfered with Qualcomm's business relationship with Meta. Despite the verdict, Qualcomm was awarded only $2 in nominal damages, with $1 for each count.
The jury found that Arm failed to provide necessary software patches and verification tools for Qualcomm's Oryon CPU development. Additionally, the court determined that Arm intentionally disrupted Qualcomm's business dealings with Meta, following a 60-day license termination notice issued by Arm in 2024.
While Arm prevailed on most claims regarding the Technology License Agreement, the case's financial impact remains unresolved. Judge Maryellen Noreika must decide if the breach allows Qualcomm to stop paying certain licensing fees for the next five years, a move that could involve billions of dollars.
Arm argues that the clause allowing for the suspension of payments is unenforceable and punitive. Both companies expressed satisfaction with the outcome, with Arm highlighting the minimal damages and Qualcomm emphasizing the validation of its claims regarding contract violations.
This dispute follows a previous legal battle over Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia, where a jury found no breach of contract in December 2024, a decision finalized in September 2025. Further appeals in the current case remain a possibility for both parties.
