AMD considering GPU IP licensing / lawsuits [WCCFTECH]

[tviceman]

http://wccftech.com/amd-engage-nvidia-samsung-patent-war/

AMD may possibly follow in the footsteps of Nvidia and go after other companies via lawsuits or licensing agreements with custom GPU's.

Hans Mosesmann – Raymond James
I think investors are interested in seeing how this plays out with Nvidia as part of their lawsuit against the Samsung and Qualcomm regarding fundamental Graphics IP, now AMD obviously has as well a very deep portfolio of Graphics IP. Has management considered a strategy to monetize that like Nvidia is doing, and what would you need to do this and start that effort?

Devinder Kumar – SVP and CFO of AMD
Yes. We have considered that and we will explore possibilities in that area as we move forward.

 

[96Firebird]

I fully support this, if they have a case.

 

[NTMBK]

WCCFtech turns typical corporate non-answer into misleading clickbait article. News at 10.

 

[96Firebird]

How is a "Yes" answer a non-answer?

 

[NTMBK]

"Has management considered a strategy?"

"Yes. We have considered that"

He answered the question in a way which didn't convey any information beyond "we have literally had at least a single thought about this subject". They could have chatted about it for 2 minutes over lunch and he would still be speaking truthfully.

 

[96Firebird]

Yup, and the headline reads AMD "may" join the patent war. If it would have said they will join the patent war, I would agree with you. Right now it is up to the reader to decide.

 

[tviceman]

Surprised many do not have anything to say about this, considering there were some pretty strong opinions in the Nvidia patent lawsuit thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2398412&highlight=

 

[Silverforce11]

I think they have a very weak case considering they sold off the mobile graphics division of ATI to Qualcomm for peanuts. Regrets much?!

They may have a case against Samsung.. but as soon as they get serious with a court case, Samsung will squash them like a bug. Court cases aren't cheap and AMD is bleeding cash left right & center as it is.

Won't happen, they would be too stupid to allow further cash expenditure on a fruitless endeavor. Instead, hurry up with GCN 2 already!

 

[Black Octagon]

^agreed. Frivolous lawsuits sink quarterly earnings squidward.

 

[mrmt]

They may have a case against Samsung.. but as soon as they get serious with a court case, Samsung will squash them like a bug. Court cases aren't cheap and AMD is bleeding cash left right & center as it is.

They may, but what are the chances of Samsung buying another AMD CPU or GPU if AMD sues them due to GPU IP?

 

[Silverforce11]

They may, but what are the chances of Samsung buying another AMD CPU or GPU if AMD sues them due to GPU IP?

The question would be, what are the chances Samsung just takes over AMD, dismantles other divisions and keep the GPU business & graphics IP??

Really, AMD would be chump change for Samsung.

 

[mrmt]

The question would be, what are the chances Samsung just takes over AMD, dismantles other divisions and keep the GPU business & graphics IP??

Why would they acquire AMD when they could just get the engineering teams for free, like they did with a small core CPU team?

 

[ShintaiDK]

The question would be, what are the chances Samsung just takes over AMD, dismantles other divisions and keep the GPU business & graphics IP??

Really, AMD would be chump change for Samsung.

I dont think they would even continue the GPU part as we know it or at all. Too low to no profit.

Since they can get the engineers for free. The question is, how much is the graphics IP worth, assuming there is no obstacles in the way in terms of other parts of the company.

 

[NTMBK]

From unrelated topic to shutting down AMD in 13 posts. You guys are getting slow, only used to take ~3 posts to totally derail a thread :thumbsup:

Warning issued for derailing discussion.
-- stahlhart

 

[digitaldurandal]

^agreed. Frivolous lawsuits sink quarterly earnings squidward.

There is not even a lawsuit by AMD at this time, how can you judge a potential suit as frivolous without the details?

 

[digitaldurandal]

The question would be, what are the chances Samsung just takes over AMD, dismantles other divisions and keep the GPU business & graphics IP??

Really, AMD would be chump change for Samsung.

This keeps getting brought up, is there any evidence that this is even being considered or is it just a hypothetical scenario?

 

[SlickR12345]

All patents need to be removed. If patents serve anything, is that smaller companies can't bring their own devices to the market, since their designs are always stolen.

I don't see how anyone can consider technology in some cases as old as 20 years still novel and that somehow no one else can come up with it on their own.

I mean 2 year patents sound reasonable, before you lose it, but current patents system is garbage.

 

[digitaldurandal]

All patents need to be removed. If patents serve anything, is that smaller companies can't bring their own devices to the market, since their designs are always stolen.

I don't see how anyone can consider technology in some cases as old as 20 years still novel and that somehow no one else can come up with it on their own.

I mean 2 year patents sound reasonable, before you lose it, but current patents system is garbage.

Your stance changed pretty significantly from start to finish of this post. I am confused on your position.

 

[rainy]

From unrelated topic to shutting down AMD in 13 posts. You guys are getting slow, only used to take ~3 posts to totally derail a thread :thumbsup:

I hope you're not surprised: as always the same two nicknames which are showing like a rash in any AMD related (directly or indirectly) topic.
Obviously those guys like to troll/bash and for sure will not change their behaviour.

Infraction issued for callout.
-- stahlhart

 

[Flapdrol1337]

WCCFtech turns typical corporate non-answer into misleading clickbait article. News at 10.

Agreed.

 

[stahlhart]

Stop the personal attacks, now.
-- stahlhart

 

[tviceman]

The question would be, what are the chances Samsung just takes over AMD, dismantles other divisions and keep the GPU business & graphics IP??

Really, AMD would be chump change for Samsung.

Companies don't spend billions of dollars to avoid potentially paying out $50 million a quarter. AMD's market cap might be low, but it would shoot through the roof if there were potential hostile takeovers, and coupled with all the debt AMD has, companies are looking at $8-10 billion or more to buyout AMD.

Now lets see. Does Samsung risk a potential licensing agreement less than $100 per quarter (way less) or do they spend $10 billion upfront because they don't want to risk paying less ~$200 mil per year? Hmmmmmmm tough choice.

 

[Headfoot]

In this thread: people who can't articulate the patents that would be used in litigation comment on the strength of a case based upon those same unknown patents. The comment quoted means literally absolutely nothing. Of course their management has considered leveraging their IP portfolio, they spend billions of dollars developing it... "Yes we've considered it" confirms that they are managers at a company.