Intel, VIA settle patent claims
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Intel is the world's largest maker of semiconductors.
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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -- Chipmakers Intel and Taiwan's VIA Technologies said Monday they have settled a series of patent infringement lawsuits.
The agreement, whose financial terms were not disclosed, resolves 11 pending cases in five countries involving 27 patents. Both companies have entered into a 10-year cross-licensing agreement under the deal.
The license agreements do not apply to S3 Graphics, a company partially owned by VIA.
Intel sued VIA in September 2001 alleging patent infringement. VIA counter-sued, claiming that Intel microprocessors infringed on patents VIA acquired in connection with its acquisition of IDT's Centaur subsidiary.
VIA also had alleged Intel had sought to limit competition through terms and conditions of its technology licensing policies and so was not entitled to enforce its patents.
California-based Intel is the world's largest maker of semiconductors, which serve as the brains of computers and other electronics.
Shares of Intel closed at $17.35, up 30 cents, or 1.7 percent, on the Nasdaq stock exchange. They were trading at $17.23 after hours on Instinet.
VIA closed Monday in Taiwan at T$36.00.
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