My patent is bigger than yours - VIA sue Intel

By now, we are all aware of Intel’s suit against chipset maker VIA, concerning five alleged patent infringement issues with VIA’s new P4X266 and P4M266 motherboards. Of course, we all know the real reason behind Intel’s actions – stopping the

By now, we are all aware of Intel's suit against chipset maker VIA, concerning five alleged patent infringement issues with VIA's new P4X266 and P4M266 motherboards. Of course, we all know the real reason behind Intel's actions – stopping the release of P4 DDR motherboards, which would give P4/RD-RAM motherboards some real competition at a much cheaper price.

In response, VIA has announced that they are filling counter-suit against Intel and make no mistake; this is no PR ploy – VIA are deadly serious. Among the allegations named in VIA's action are claims of 'Patent Infringement, Anti Competitive Behavior, and Willful Destruction of VIA Property'

Claims of patent infringement refer to 'Intel processors and chipsets.' VIA's claims of anti-competitive behaviour refer to alleged violations of the Republic of China Fair Trade Law. And to top it all off, the wilful destruction of VIA property refers to Intel employees destroying VIA equipment at the Computex 2001 tradeshow in Taipei. And here you were thinking the computer industry was a nice, warm and fuzzy kind of place.

Mr Richard Brown, Director of Marketing at VIA Technologies, had this to say: 'Starting today, VIA will begin filing a series of patent infringement lawsuits and civil actions in the Taiwan and US courts seeking damages and injunctive relief.' Furthermore, 'Intel has not obtained a license from VIA for the Pentium 4 microprocessor or the 845 chipset, [and] the lawsuits will be aimed at stopping the infringement of VIA's patents by these products.'

What a classic. Not content to sit back and defend itself in court against Intel's suit, VIA has decided that it is the wronged party! This results from VIA's joint venture with SonicBlue (earlier known as S3) who hold a licensing agreement with Intel to develop P4 chipsets. According to VIA, this agreement also applies to itself.

Whatever the eventual outcome, it should be an amazing fight. Considering the history between VIA and Intel, you can be sure that there will be plenty of flame as neither side is likely to give up easily.