VIA Slaps Apple with Microprocessor Patent Infringement Suit

Posted 09/23/2011 at 6:48am | by Paul Lilly

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VIA Technologies is unleashing its legal beagles at Apple for allegedly infringing on three microprocessor-related patents and has filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. District Court of Delaware. The patent infringement allegations extend to Apple's iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Apple TV devices, as well as associated software.

"VIA has built up an extensive IP portfolio consisting of over 5,000 patents as a result of significant investments in world class technology research and development," commented Wenchi Chen, CEO, VIA Technologies, Inc. "We are determined to protect our interests and the interests of our stockholders when our patents are infringed upon."

Of the three patents in question, one covers a "method and apparatus for double operand load" (U.S. Patent No. 6253312), and the other two involve an "instruction set for bi-directional conversion and transfer of integer and floating point data" (U.S. Patent Nos. 6253311 & 6754810).

This is the latest in a long line of patent kerfuffles in the mobile world, including those involving Apple, which is engaged in nearly two dozen patent disputes with Samsung alone.

Image Credit: VIA