Paul, what do you think of DEC's claims against INTC? In terms of SGI this is a "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" sidebar.
Points of interest:
DEC's corporate counsel has a reputation for conservatism, meaning that he won't start actions unless he believes they are very strong.
INTC **did** see the Alpha technology during technology licensing talks during 90-91 under NDA, and pre pentium.
INTC announce (with great hoopla) that they were starting a microprocessor research lab. Salient points from INTC spokemen:
* INTC hasn't done any significant microprocessor research to date
* INTC has been able to copy the RISC approaches of it's competitors
* INTC has run out of things to copy.
Apparently these statement got DEC's attention, and upon due diligence on the Pentium, P-pro, and P-II designs allegedly discovered that INTC was telling the truth, they had copied their competitors -- specifically DEC! (again these are only DEC's allegations)
Very interesting times for INTC I'd think. If you'll remember from the INTC v. AMD, INTC attempted to hold liable all computer mfg's building with the AMD parts and the customers buying them, not just AMD. So a broad range of companies building Pentium and derivative products would be affected (all but DEC, who cannot be damaging itself by using the INTC part).
Are we looking for a clean, early, settlement, or will DEC go for the long bloody kill? DEC had bulldog tenacity on the RSD case they just won. Since INTC is DEC's "Great Satan, the Mother of all Competitors", only a generous (from INTC) settlement/licensing income stream would seem to be only easy way out. Certainly INTC will find DEC a more taxing opponent than AMD (and they lost that one, eventually).
What's your opinion on the following Q:'s
Q: Why is DEC doing this? Desparate last gasp, or belief they can win?
Q: Long battle or kiss and makeup?
Q: In MicroSoft's interest to broker a deal here? What would DEC and INTC accept?
Q: INTC the only defendant, or will DEC leverage this case to afflict all Pentium based competitors?
Q: Since DEC's claims partially flow from the disclosure to INTC should the SGI/MIPS, Sun/Sparc, IBM/PPC crowd get worried here?
Q: If DEC wins (triple damages on all Pentium revenue) will they just bankrupt INTC, or take them over?
Q: Will corporate America see this as a wakeup call that sole-source hegemonies are a bad thing, or yawn?
Q: Who are the winners and losers
(a) during the uncertainity?
(b) if DEC wins?
(c) if DEC loses?
(d) if they settle?
There is a Chinese curse "may you live in interesting times" that I'm afraid may apply to INTC just now.
Squeaking his own opinions, only. J Zulauf |
