American tech giant Apple has threatened to quit the UK over a $7billion (£5billion) legal row.
Apple s lawyers warned it could quit the UK market if a court forces the company to pay a commercially unacceptable fee for the technology used in its iPhones.
The extraordinary threat raises the prospect of an end to new iPhone sales in the UK and the restriction of services and upgrades to existing customers.
Once bitten: Apple issued the warning as part of a court battle with UK patent holder Optis Cellular Technology
Although Apple is highly unlikely to follow through with its ultimatum, the row is the latest sign of the escalating hostilities as British authorities try to rein in the powerful US tech giants.
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Apple attorneys threaten UK market exit if court orders unacceptable patent fees
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