Replies to post #139164 on Intel Corp (INTC)

[chipguy]

I remembered the suit but not that gem:)

Well, neither do I. Here is the real story.

DEC sued Intel over patent infringement related to processor design.

In turn Intel countersued DEC over patent infringement related to
processor design and stopped providing information on future x86
products crucial to DEC's ongoing x86 server and PC businesses.
Because Intel is so dominant in x86 DEC complained to the government
about anti-trust concerns. The government saw enough merit in DEC's
latter claims that it got involved in the conflict.

The three parties got involved in extended negotiations. The final
result was

- Intel bought DEC's Hudson fab and agreed to run the fabs and
manufacture Alphas for DEC with its current (0.35 um) and next
process (0.25 um)
- Intel took over DEC's StrongARM design team (who mostly fled)
and all related ARM IP. This led to the XScale products.
- Intel got a non-exclusive right to use Alpha and related patents
- DEC got ~$600m (IIRC) and resumed normal advanced access to Intel
future x86 product information and rights to use related patents
- the government, who was concerned about Intel crushing competition
in 64 bit processors with the coming Itanium line, got DEC to grant
license to Alpha to third parties (Samsung and AMD). This was known
as the consent decree.