Intel Sues Via Tech for Patent Infringement

[glow_bug]

Hope Via has some deep pockets, cuz Intel does.


Intel Sues Via Tech for Patent Infringement
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Reuters) - Intel Corp. (Nasdaq:INTC - news), the world's No. semiconductor maker, on Friday sued Via Technologies Inc. for patent infringement on a Via chipset for Intel's Pentium 4 microprocessor.

In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in the district of Delaware, Intel alleges that Taiwan-based Via Technologies (2388.TW), the No. 2 chipset manufacturer, violates five Intel patents.

A chipset incorporates the microprocessor, the primary computing engine of a personal computer, with other semiconductors and connects it to the rest of the PC. Intel and Via Technologies have a history of legal action against each other.

An Intel spokesman said that after the company obtained samples of the Via chipset, it determined that the products infringed their patents and decided to sue. Intel is seeking unspecified damages and for Via Technologies to stop selling its Pentium 4 chipset.

A Via Technologies spokesperson couldn't immediately be reached to comment. Via Technologies started shipping large numbers of the controversial P4X266 chipset for the Pentium 4 in mid-August.


Linky

 

[Deeko]

Intel should die

 

[natto fire]

maybe VIA will go under and a decent company (besides AMD) will make a good chipset for the Athlon.

 

[cavingjan]

Another year, another lawsuit by Intel against Via. Same old, same old.
I just reread it, Intel is slipping, only 5 patent infringements this time.

 

[vash]

Intel is trying to stem people away from VIA's solution until 2002. Come 2002, RDRAM will be gone from Intel's lineup of anything. Intel believes in DDR ram and will commit to it as soon as the RDRAM expires (December 31, 2001).

vash