Intel loses first of two Broadcom cases

Intel has lost the first of two patent infringement lawsuits of Broadcom. A jury announced Friday that Broadcom did not infringe on two Intel patents and Broadcom does not own Intel the $82 million in damages Intel had demanded.

Intel also said it has settled part of a patent infringement case against Taiwan's Via Technologies.

One of the two patents in the Broadcom case was for a processor for expanding a compressed video signal, which the jury found was a valid patent but that Broadcom didn't infringe on it. The other patent, for computer networking, was found both invalid and also not infringed upon by Broadcom. Intel was clearly upset it had lost the case. It had accused Broadcom of infringing on Intel patents in nearly every aspect of its business. "Intel is clearly disappointed with the jury's verdict. We respectfully disagree with their findings. We plan to evaluate the verdict before determining our next course of action," said Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy.

Broadcom officials were pleased they had won the case. "The jury's unanimous verdict clearly recognized that Broadcom products, implementing two of the most widely deployed industry standards, MPEG and Ethernet, do not infringe the Intel patents," said Chief Executive Henry Nicholas in a company statement.

With the first case resolved, the focus shifts to a second trial that centers on three patents on two digital video chips and on packaging. Jurors will also be considering Broadcom's counterclaims of Intel engaging in unfair business practices and abuse of industry standards.

In another patent infringement case, Intel said it had settled part of its patent infringement disputes with Taiwan's Via Technologies. The deal was reached after Via redesigned its products to avoid infringing on Intel's patents. Via's chipsets, when combined with AMD's microprocessor technology, represent the major competitor to Intel's own microprocessors and chipsets. Intel has agreed to drop its patent infringement suit regarding two patents. But Intel said it retains its rights to the patents and could bring suit at a later time if future infringement occurs.