References:Digital Equipment
Intel |
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A previous SIGPC musing in May
described Digital's suit against Intel, alleging infringements on 10 Digital patents by
Intel in their Pentium product line. Well, now Intel has struck back with a
much-anticipated countersuit against Digital, alleging infringements on 14 Intel patents
by Digital. The claim covers a wide range of technologies, including 6 for
microprocessors. Intel had previously filed a lawsuit on May 27, shortly after
Digital's May 12 claim, demanding that Digital return confidential documents that Intel
says it shared with Digital concerning the design of future Pentium II processors, such as
the 64-bit chips code named Merced and Deschutes. At the time, Digital says Intel told
them they were jeopardizing their status as a primary customer for Intel's chips. This
caused Digital to file another claim alleging that Intel conducts anti-competitive
behavior.
Rumors that Intel had refused to sign their quarterly agreement with Digital for
delivery of Pentium processors in September have been denied. Pentium chips are used in
several of Digital's computers, sometimes competing directly with their own Alpha chip in
high-end systems running Windows NT.
Details of the patent suits, like the patents themselves, are complicated. However,
there is a positive aspect to this drama: the demand for patent litigation attorneys has
never been higher. Since a large percentage of patent attorneys formerly worked as
engineers, there might be a rosy future ahead for those looking for a career change. :)
More information:
From C|Net, Intel, and other sources. |
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