U.S. trade agency to investigate Taiwan's VIA
WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - U.S. trade officials said on Wednesday they would investigate one of Taiwan's leading computer chip suppliers, VIA Technologies Inc. <2388.TW>, after Intel Corp. <INTC.O> accused the company of misappropriating patented technology.
Intel, the world's largest computer chip maker, asked the U.S. government's International Trade Commission (ITC) last month to investigate VIA Technologies and to issue an order that would prevent the company from selling certain integrated circuit chips in the United States.
In a statement, the commission said it agreed to take on the case and tapped administrative law judge Paul Luckern to review the allegations. "The ITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case," the statement said.
In addition to VIA, Intel has asked the ITC to bar First International Computer of America Inc. and Everex Systems Inc. from importing computer systems and motherboards that contain the VIA chips, which are used as an interface between a computer's microprocessor and other devices, including CD-ROM drives and printers.
VIA officials were not immediately available to comment on the ITC's decision.
The ITC, an independent government agency, has the authority to bar products from entry in cases of patent infringement. The VIA investigation was expected to last several months.
The complaint stems from an agreement between Intel and VIA signed in November 1998. The deal quickly broke down, prompting Intel in June 1999 to sue VIA in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California, for alleged patent infringement.
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