Conference ricks::dechips

694.0. "Digital to sue Intel for patent violation" by MOVIES::BAYLEY (Stuart Bayley, VMS-UK EDO-13 DTN: 824-3324) Tue May 13 1997 09:52

Tuesday May 13 7:06 AM EDT 

Company Press Release

Source: Digital Equipment Corporation

Digital Equipment Corporation Sues Intel Corporation For Violating
Microprocessor Architecture Patents

Lawsuit maintains Intel infringed Digital patented technology to enhance
performance of Pentium, Pentium Pro and Pentium II microprocessors

WORCESTER, Mass., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Equipment Corporation
(NYSE:DEC) has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, District of
Massachusetts, here charging Intel Corporation (Nasdaq:INTC) with willful
infringement of 10 Digital patents in making, using and selling
microprocessor products, including its Pentium, Pentium Pro and Pentium II
microprocessor families. 

Alleging that Intel's patent infringement has caused Digital economic
injury and, if not stopped, would cause irreparable harm, the company seeks
both an injunction and monetary damages, including triple damages for
Intel's willful violation of the patents. The injunction would prohibit
Intel from using Digital's patented technology in its present and future
microprocessor products. 

``Over the years, Digital has made substantial investments in developing
computing architectures and microprocessor technology,'' said Digital
Chairman Robert B. Palmer. ``It is our duty to our shareholders, customers,
partners and employees to protect our intellectual property rights and the
benefits of our industry-leading research and development efforts.'' 

The patents cited in Digital's lawsuit protect Digital's innovations in
high-performance computing architecture and micro-processor technology. The
patents relate to technologies -- cache management, branch prediction and
high-speed instruction processing -- which are vital to state-of-the-art
microprocessor design. The patents were issued by the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office between 1988 and 1996. 

``In developing its VAX and Alpha products, Digital significantly advanced
computer architectures and microprocessor design,'' Palmer said. ``Intel's
unauthorized use of Digital's technology to significantly enhance the
performance of its microprocessors violates Digital's legal rights. 

``As a result of its infringement of our patents,'' Palmer continued,
``Intel has strengthened its monopoly in the X86 market and is seeking to
extend its monopoly to higher-performance microprocessors. This conduct
threatens the competitive environment essential for continued innovation
and growth in the computer industry.'' 

Thomas C. Siekman, Digital vice president and general counsel, said, ``This
lawsuit is essential to protect the billions of dollars Digital and its
shareholders have invested in the development of leading-edge computing and
microprocessor technology.'' 

Digital Equipment Corporation is a world leader in open client/server
solutions from personal computing to integrated worldwide information
systems. Digital's scalable Alpha and X86 platforms, storage, networking,
software and services, together with industry-focused solutions from
business partners, help organizations compete and win in today's global
marketplace. 

Note: Digital, the Digital logo, VAX are trademarks of Digital Equipment
Corporation. Pentium, Pentium Pro and Pentium II are trademarks of Intel
Corporation. 

SOURCE: Digital Equipment Corporation 
    

    The corresponding topic in HUMANE::DIGITAL was write-locked
    immediately...
    

The Corporate Law office has advised employees to not discuss pending litigation
in notesfiles, since anything said is "discoverable" in a court hearing.
Corporate Communications has asked me to prevent such discussion in the
DIGITAL notesfile, I would advise the moderators here to do the same.

					Steve