China's antitrust watchdog confirms probe of InterDigital

China's antitrust watchdog confirmed on Wednesday that it is investigating InterDigital Inc and the US technology company has applied to have the probe halted after months of cooperation.

The antitrust bureau under China's National Development and Reform Commission said the bureau started the probe in May 2013 after receiving reports of irregularities. The company has responded to the inquiry actively since then.

Xu Kunlin, director of the bureau, said InterDigital has applied to end the investigation. He said the bureau is considering the request and stressed the precondition to do so would be for the company to promise to address its issues.

Last Friday, the wireless research and development company issued a statement, saying InterDigital executives "indicated to NDRC apologies that the company had misunderstood Chinese law and NDRC's rule and procedures in that regard".

Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on NASDAQ. A majority of its revenue comes from patent licensing.

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