Transmeta (Semiconductor) (TMTA)

[weaksidehelp]

Steak, re the XYBR Patents

". . . the core seems to be possible with IBM patents alone."

I have some experience in this area, and I very much doubt that the Core computer can be used or sold without infringement of XYBR patents. (The OQO is a different story, btw. I think that device probably, narrowly, escapes XYBR's patents because it is a fully functional computer, not a core).

What I think is going on is that XYBR has been supported by IBM for the past few years and has a number of agreements in place. I think IBM has a license to the XYBR patents for the Core computer, including the ability to grant sublicenses to its (IBM's) customers. It is likely that IBM has additionally developed proprietary technology (patent(s) and copyrighted code) to allow XYBR's Core concept to actually work. If this is the case, XYBR will benefit from licenses issued by IBM to Antelope and others, but will not be directly licensing to them. XYBR probably retains the right to grant separate licenses for Core computing, but without the IBM value added. Perhaps XYBR could license someone like OQO who already has worked out a functional ultra PC and does not need IBM's technology.

Just my US$0.02.

regards, wsh