Qualcomm's troubles continue, Broadcom in the driver's seat, AT&T shoots for the stars

The most recent page has turned in the Qualcomm chip debacle. Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) had requested that the International Trade Commission stay an order banning the import of phones carrying a chip that allegedly infringes on a patent held by Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM). The ITC refused to issue a stay and Qualcomm's shares have fallen at least a full percentage point on the news.

In the meantime, Broadcom insists it is still willing to discuss a licensing deal that would break the deadlock and allow Qualcomm's imports to flow. Qualcomm however, says it cannot accept Broadcom's terms and has said it will call on President Bush to veto the ITC's refusal to issue the stay. Running home to daddy, is it?

Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ), Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), and Vodafone Group (NYSE: VOD) each have a large interest at stake in having the import ban removed. Each one has phones with Qualcomm chip technology "waiting on the docks" and none of them seem ready to back down.

Amid all the stress and turmoil looms AT&T, large as life, and ready to give the consumer everything they need in a mobile device without infringing on any patents that we know of. AT&T (NYSE: T) recently announced it will need 2,000 additional employees for the much anticipated Apple iPhone launch. AT&T is so much in control that it issued "special orders" declaring that no internal incentive promotions would be allowed in the marketing of the iPhone, as reported by our friends at The Unofficial Apple Weblog.

So the thinkers are selling phones and the copycats are running home with tear-stained faces to get their big brother. Perhaps they should just stay there and think about what they've done. Necessity is the mother of invention they say, so invent something for yourselves, you guys!