Hi, Marshall - Though your question was directed to Scott, I'd like to add a comment, if I may.
Intersil has been a member of the OFDM Forum for a while, now. This suggests that they anticipate no real difficulty on the question of royalties: negotiations, yes; intractable problems, no.
The question of the payment of royalties throws a lot of heat, and not much light, sometimes. Payment for IP is a norm in wireless. Cross-licensing is a norm. Do you have a cell phone? Take a look at the back of the user booklet, and read the page or so of IP used in the product.
Notwithstanding the use of many different types of patents, and cross-licensing, the cell-phone market is healthy, vibrant, and growing strongly.
Usually, problems arise when patent holders attempt to charge exorbitant rates for their IP. A quick read on the subject of Firewire might provide some illumination.
There is no evidence to suggest that is Wi-LAN's intention; on the contrary, Wi-LAN's approach to all has been consistently fair, and open.
They eventual cost of a W-OFDM transceiver ASIC to permit worldwide usage has been discussed at around $8. Though we don't know, some have suggested that the royalty payment on that might be around 5 cents.
I think Intersil could live with that.
Regards,
Jim |
