Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[Windsock]

The core claims the Digital and Intergraph suits against Intel were patent. And that was the settlement $$ were for patent licenses. In addition, in the Digital case, Intel bought Digital's fab and the Strong Arm design.

All of the antitrust claims of Intergraph were thrown out of Court before a trial, Because the antitrust claims were found without merit, the FTC entered a settlement with Intel that said Intel could withold confidential technology if a company sued it for patent infringement.

The settlement basically allowed Intel to do what it had done with Intergraph, ie refuse to deliver confidential information on its processors. The FTC claimed a victory but in reality Intel signed a consent decree that said Intel's conduct was lawful. In other words, Intel received the FTC's seal of legal approval and its conduct was insulated from attack.