Qualcomm has said it will withdraw a lawsuit in the United Kingdom relating to smartphone chip royalty payments, marking a shift in a long-running dispute over the licensing of its wireless technology.

The US semiconductor company had initiated proceedings in the High Court as part of a broader effort to defend its patent licensing model, which requires smartphone manufacturers to pay royalties for the use of its portfolio of standard-essential patents.

Those patents underpin core technologies used in modern mobile devices, including 4G and 5G connectivity.

In confirming that the UK action will be discontinued, Qualcomm indicated that the decision forms part of a reassessment of its litigation strategy as discussions continue with industry counterparts.

The company has faced challenges in multiple jurisdictions over the structure and level of its royalty charges, with critics arguing that fees are calculated on the full value of a handset rather than solely on the chip components.

Qualcomm maintains that its licensing framework reflects the strength and breadth of its intellectual property and is consistent with international standards governing fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory, or FRAND, licensing terms.

The company has repeatedly defended its approach as essential to sustaining investment in research and development for next-generation wireless technologies.

The withdrawal of the UK case does not necessarily signal the end of broader legal or commercial negotiations.

Patent licensing disputes in the smartphone industry frequently span several countries, with companies seeking rulings in courts viewed as influential in setting global royalty benchmarks.

Legal analysts say that UK courts have increasingly played a central role in determining FRAND rates for standard-essential patents, making London a significant venue for technology licensing battles.

By stepping back from the current action, Qualcomm may be seeking to streamline negotiations or avoid parallel proceedings while pursuing resolution through other channels.

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of intellectual property practices in the technology sector and continued competition among chipmakers as demand for advanced mobile connectivity grows.

Qualcomm has not indicated whether new proceedings could be filed in the future, but the decision narrows one front in a complex, multi-jurisdictional dispute over how smartphone innovation is financed.