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Posted: 2017-04-03 17:16:46

LONDON — UK tech company Imagination Technologies on Monday announced that Apple, its biggest customer, will no longer be using its tech.

Imagination said in a statement: “Apple is of a view that it will no longer use the Group’s intellectual property in its new products in 15 months to two years time, and as such will not be eligible for royalty payments under the current licence and royalty agreement.”

The news has sent Imagination’s share price collapsing, down over 60% at the open:

Imagination has long supplied graphics processing chips to Apple, which are used in its iPhones, iPads, and Watches.

However, Imagination says: “Apple has asserted that it has been working on a separate, independent graphics design in order to control its products and will be reducing its future reliance on Imagination’s technology.”

Apple considered buying Imagination last year but ultimately decided against it. Since then, Business Insider has reported on how Apple has hired key talent away from Imagination.

Imagination says on Monday that it is prepared to fight Apple, suggesting the tech giant may infringe upon Imaginations’ patents by developing its own in-house solutions.

Imagination says:

“Apple has not presented any evidence to substantiate its assertion that it will no longer require Imagination’s technology, without violating Imagination’s patents, intellectual property and confidential information. This evidence has been requested by Imagination but Apple has declined to provide it.

“Further, Imagination believes that it would be extremely challenging to design a brand new GPU architecture from basics without infringing its intellectual property rights, accordingly Imagination does not accept Apple’s assertions.

“Apple’s notification has led Imagination to discuss with Apple potential alternative commercial arrangements for the current licence and royalty agreement.

“Imagination has reserved all its rights in respect of Apple’s unauthorised use of Imagination’s confidential information and Imagination’s intellectual property rights.”

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