The intensifying legal battle between Qualcomm Inc. and Arm Ltd. over chip design licenses is creating an unexpected opportunity for MediaTek Inc. to expand its presence in the PC market.
Arm’s move to potentially revoke Qualcomm’s license to use its intellectual property has cast doubt over the future of Qualcomm’s new Oryon processor lineup, which was designed to compete with Apple’s chips in the personal computer market.
Market analysts suggest MediaTek could emerge as the primary beneficiary of this dispute. The Taiwanese chipmaker, known for its cost-competitive mobile processors, is developing its own Windows on Arm solutions without the legal complications facing its American rival.
The dispute centers on Qualcomm’s Oryon CPU architecture, which Arm claims exceeds the scope of their licensing agreement. While Qualcomm maintains its rights will be upheld in court proceedings scheduled for December, the uncertainty has prompted PC manufacturers to explore alternative chip suppliers.
Industry observers note that MediaTek’s upcoming processors could offer manufacturers a safer option, combining competitive pricing with clear intellectual property rights. The company is also strengthening its relationship with Arm through the Neoverse ecosystem, positioning itself for broader market opportunities.
The situation has also renewed interest in RISC-V, the open-source chip architecture that typically costs 20-30% less than Arm’s solutions.
