ARM has thrown a major curveball in the tech world by demanding the destruction of all PCs equipped with Snapdragon X processors. This move comes as a result of a long-standing license dispute between ARM and Qualcomm, with no resolution in sight even after nearly two years of back-and-forth.

The conflict escalated when Qualcomm acquired the startup Nuvia, known for developing its own ARM core with the intention of using it in server processors. However, Qualcomm repurposed this core for its Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus PC processors, potentially extending its use to future smartphone systems-on-chip (SoCs). ARM contends that this custom core utilization breaches existing license agreements.

In response to Qualcomm’s actions, ARM filed a lawsuit in August 2022, demanding the cessation and destruction of any ARM-based technology developed under the licenses by Qualcomm and Nuvia. ARM’s stance on this matter is clear – it is about safeguarding the ARM ecosystem and its partners who rely on their intellectual property and innovative designs.

This legal battle has far-reaching implications, as major PC manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Lenovo, Samsung, and others are now faced with the prospect of destroying all notebooks or mini PCs containing Snapdragon X CPUs. The fallout from this dispute has also led to speculation that Microsoft may pivot towards partnering with Mediatek and Nvidia instead of Qualcomm in the future.

Qualcomm, on the other hand, has retaliated with a counterclaim against ARM, citing a series of grievances accumulated over the years. The clash between these industry giants underscores the complexities of intellectual property rights and the competitive landscape within the tech sector.