A federal appeals court ruled Friday that cellphone chip maker Qualcomm did not infringe a patent held by rival Broadcom involving technology that allows cell phones to save power.

The court, sitting in Washington, D.C., also ruled that seven Qualcomm chips did not infringe a similar Broadcom patent. The court, however, ordered further investigation on whether one Qualcomm chip infringed on Broadcom's technology.

The ruling, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, did not address a related high-stakes appeal by Qualcomm that is pending before the same court.

In the case that remains pending, Qualcomm is appealing a ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission that could bar certain cell phone devices from being imported into the United States.

Qualcomm shares recently rose $1.42, or 3%, to $48.09. Broadcom shares were up 89 cents, or 4.3%, t $21.48.

Source:Dow Jones