Broadcom sues Intel, alleging patent infringement

IRVINE, Calif: Communications chipmaker Broadcom Corp. said on Monday it had

filed a lawsuit charging that certain of No. 1 chipmaker Intel Corp.'s

semiconductors infringe on patents held by Broadcom.

In a complaint dated Nov. 19 and filed in the Eastern District of Texas,

Texarkana Division, US District Court, Broadcom alleges some of the chips Intel

makes to support its microprocessor infringe on patents issued to Broadcom for

display technology.

Microprocessors are the primary computing engines of personal computers, and

must be used in conjunction with and support of other chips, such as graphics,

memory, chipsets and motherboards in order for a PC to function properly.

In its complaint, Broadcom said that "the Intel support chips include

inventions that are claimed by the Broadcom patents."

Broadcom said in its complaint that it is seeking damages "in an amount

adequate to compensate Broadcom for (Intel's) infringement of the Broadcom

patents, including but not limited to the damages attributable to the sale of

Intel microprocessors and related components in combination with the infringing

devices."

The complaint also seeks triple damages, as well as interest on the damages

awarded and attorney's fees. An Intel spokesperson couldn't immediately be

reached to comment. The lawsuit is the second recent example of legal squabbling

between the two companies in an industry that is no stranger to such wrangling.

In August 2000, Intel filed a patent infringement lawsuit against chip

designer Altima Communications Inc., which was bought by Broadcom in September

2001. That lawsuit is ongoing.

(C) Reuters Limited.