The DEC suit appears frivolous. If so, DEC could be subject to fines.
(from the news) "The patents cited in Digital's lawsuit protect Digital's
innovations in high-performance computing architecture and
micro-processor technology. The patents relate to technologies
-- cache management, branch prediction and high-speed
instruction processing -- which are vital to state-of-the-art
microprocessor design."
In fact, all of the above technologies are present not only in Intel processors, but IBM mainframe processors, Motorola processors, and just about every other processor, RISC or CISC. Further, the concepts and techniques in question are taught in college processor design courses.
Based on this, it would appear the DEC lawsuit is frivolous in that they are specifically targeting Intel for monetary gain when the issue DEC may(or may not) have is with the entire microprocessor industry and not Intel. In fact, I'd be nervous if I were a DEC executive right now -- especially if it could be proven that DEC had hidden motives, i.e., trying to boost DEC stock during a poor quarter.
Dan |
