A Delaware jury did not reach a verdict Friday in Qualcomm’s lawsuit against Arm Holdings, leaving a closely watched dispute between two major players in the semiconductor industry unresolved until deliberations resume next week. The case centers on licensing agreements, alleged interference with Qualcomm’s business relationships and a broader deterioration in the companies’ relationship as competition within the chip industry intensifies.

Jury Deliberations Continue After Five-Day Trial

The five-day trial concluded this week in Wilmington, Delaware, but jurors were unable to determine whether Arm breached its licensing agreements with Qualcomm or intentionally disrupted certain Qualcomm dealings with Meta Platforms. The jury is expected to return next week to continue deliberations.

Qualcomm has argued that Arm violated its contractual obligations by withholding software patches and design tools required under the companies’ licensing arrangements. The dispute therefore extends beyond a conventional commercial disagreement, potentially affecting how technology licenses are structured and enforced across the semiconductor ecosystem.

Qualcomm Accuses Arm of Interfering With Meta Dealings

Qualcomm has also asked the jury to find that Arm intentionally interfered with some of its dealings with Meta Platforms. According to Qualcomm’s arguments, Arm leaked a 2024 breach letter in a manner that damaged Qualcomm’s commercial relationships.

The allegations add another dimension to the case because the dispute is not limited to whether contractual terms were violated. A finding of intentional interference could carry broader consequences for the companies’ business relationship and potentially increase the financial stakes surrounding the litigation.

Royalty Dispute Could Have Wider Financial Implications

The case also includes an unresolved issue over Qualcomm’s position that it could potentially stop paying royalties for five years. The judge has not ruled on that claim, leaving an important question outside the jury’s immediate verdict.

Any decision affecting royalty payments could have implications for both companies because licensing revenue is central to Arm’s business model, while Qualcomm relies on access to technology that supports its chip development. The financial impact will depend on the eventual legal findings and any remedies ordered by the court.

A Strategic Conflict Beyond One Contract

The litigation is the second trial between Qualcomm and Arm in two years, underscoring how significantly their commercial relationship has deteriorated. The conflict has developed alongside a fundamental shift in Arm’s strategy following SoftBank Group’s acquisition of control of the company in 2016.

Arm historically focused on licensing technology used by chipmakers, while its strategy has increasingly moved toward selling chips of its own. That evolution can create tension with companies such as Qualcomm, which have traditionally built businesses around technologies licensed from Arm.

Investors will now watch the jury’s deliberations next week and any subsequent judicial rulings, particularly regarding royalties and potential damages. The outcome could influence the financial relationship between the companies while also providing a broader signal about the future of semiconductor licensing. As Arm expands its commercial ambitions and Qualcomm protects its technology ecosystem, the dispute could remain strategically significant well beyond the immediate courtroom decision.