On a related note, I haven't heard anything about the VIA/Intel case
Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and all you ships at sea:
Magee says:
Via may settle with Intel
SiS, ALi, sales pressures
By Mike Magee, 18/11/2001 10:23:15 BST
THE COMMERCIAL TIMES in Taiwan is reporting that moves are afoot for Via Technologies to settle its widespread litigation with the Intel Corporation over the Pentium 4.
According to a story on Silicon Strategies, quoting Chinese language paper the Commercial Times, Via President Wen Chi Chen is now actively negotiating with the corporation over a Pentium 4 licence.
That could lead to a settlement of the litigation as soon as next week, the organ reports.
The move, if it happens, will be good for both Via and for Intel. The former finds support for its Pentium 4 chipset somewhat lacking because of fear of treading on Intel's tail.
On the other hand, Intel needs all the support for its Pentium 4 platform it can get, and the $2 per licence Via is rumoured to be paying, will allow it to compete successfully against SiS and ALi.
SiS, in particular, has been making worrying inroads into the chipset market.
In return for the deal, both Intel and Via would drop litigation each holds in store against the other.
While the deal makes sense for both parties, there is another possibility. It's true that Wen Chi Chen was in Comdex last week, along with other senior Via executives, and it's possible that the rumours emanate from his camp, rather than reflect a resolution of the case.
According to our sources, Via has thoroughly upset Intel, with which it formerly had a reasonable relationship, and a certain amount of bridge building is needed to restore that. µ
The Inquirer
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