''Wouldn't Rule Out a Renegotiation If We Win The Suit'': Intel

[btarunr]

Earlier this week, Intel slapped NVIDIA with a complaint claiming that NVIDIA lacked the privileges derived from earlier agreements between the two companies NVIDIA to make chipsets for Intel's new generation of processors featuring integrated memory controllers. NVIDIA however, dismissed the charges making it clear it didn't have any products in the making that currently violates the agreement, though it feels confident that under the existing agreement it could carry on with development of chipset technologies (more here). Intel pressed fresh charges against NVIDIA which state that the company falsely claimed to have acquired a license to the QuickPath Interconnect technology.

Interestingly, a report by bit-tech.net sheds light on what Intel wants: nothing, while keeping the window open for re-negotiation of agreements between the two companies as an option. Intel does not seek any form of damages from NVIDIA, except merely asking it to pay for its legal fees if Intel wins, a standard practice in court cases. Intel also seems to be using the "re-negotiation" part as a carrot to let NVIDIA concede. "I wouldn't rule out a re-negotiation if we win the suit," said Intel spokesperson Chuck Mulloy, in an interview to bit-tech. "There are options available to us and re-negotiating the license is one of them." he said. The "other options", according to Mulloy, are kept under the wraps, which might as well include termination of the whole agreement, forcing a re-negotiation if NVIDIA needs to continue making core-logic technologies for the Intel platform? Intel has made a redacted version of the complaint public as it may contain some very confidential information that cannot be disclosed. The redacted copy can be read here (PDF). So what is the whole point in this exercise? To make drastic changes in agreements between the two companies by working out a renegotiation? The turn of events in weeks, or even days to come will tell.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I think NVIDIA better pay up: never bite the hand that feeds. If NVIDIA turns this into a long, nasty court case, Core i# series will be the last processors NVIDIA will be able to support. Intel has little to gain here but NVIDIA has a lot to lose.

 

[btarunr]

In short - Intel calls NVIDIA's bluff on "I haz QPI technology access".

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I'm sure NVIDIA purchased a license to the FSB technology shared across Pentium 4 through Core 2. Intel says that FSB technology is no longer in use so if you want to use the new stuff, you'll have to pay for it. I don't see how NVIDIA could argue their way out of this assuming the wording of the original agreement is clear. If it isn't, NVIDIA could squeeze by. Even if they could, I still think it would be in NVIDIA's best interest to pay up and keep the relationship on relatively good terms. Simply put, NVIDIA can't afford to be enemies with Intel or AMD (especially Intel).

 

[Azkeyz]

nVidia doesn't need Intel , all nVidia has to do is build a game box around their video chips and Intel and anybody else would be out of luck.

who ever thinks Intel is the end all be all of the PC market are just plain stupid

I for one could care less about SSE SSE2 SSE3 , all I care about it does it let me surff the net
chat on yawhore and play video games that look real.

It's all gotten way out of hand and the war is on to build the first "affordable game box"
that accomplishes the things I mentioned.

Intel commited treason against the united states by putting it's factories in every country except america. a slap in the face to americans ... one day they will pay for that. and there are plenty of people willing to make them pay. ( it's a deeper story than you could ever imagin it goes all the way to israel my friend )

reminding myself how my nVidia 6800 series card died a thermal death for no reason while ATI and sapphire cared enough to release the 3850 AGP

you wait and see , my prediction is that we will see a company come up with the type of system I mentioned, if that happens , I'll chunk my PCs in a box never to be seen or heard from again except when I need to have a good laugh.

 

[a111087]

Intel commited treason against the united states by putting it's factories in every country except america. a slap in the face to americans ... one day they will pay for that. and there are plenty of people willing to make them pay. ( it's a deeper story than you could ever imagin it goes all the way to israel my friend )

I'm pretty sure i saw a video about a factory in US

 

[Katanai]

And I was actually led to believe, like many of us I think, that Nvidia's CEO was actually keeping this fight going on...

Shame on Intel for doing this...

 

[lemonadesoda]

Just to remind everyone of legal process:

If you own a patent and/or copyright works you MUST pursue legal action of you are aware of breach otherwise you put at risk your proprietary rights. Letting an issue like this lapse is the same has making the technology free for all.

Intel MUST do this, even if it is at the same time ready to work with, even support, nVidia. This is not a spitting match... just the stuff that laws and lawyer salaries are made of.

 

[PCpraiser100]

In short - Intel calls NVIDIA's bluff on "I haz QPI technology access".

This is ridiculous that the lawsuit seems to think about QPI access. QPI is new technology and it is only available dominantly for Intel? Cut this crap for stupid competition. New technologies should be for everyone not for the guy who spends big bucks for it. Think about such things like QPI for CrossfireX.

 

[KBD]

I'm sure NVIDIA purchased a license to the FSB technology shared across Pentium 4 through Core 2. Intel says that FSB technology is no longer in use so if you want to use the new stuff, you'll have to pay for it. I don't see how NVIDIA could argue their way out of this assuming the wording of the original agreement is clear. If it isn't, NVIDIA could squeeze by. Even if they could, I still think it would be in NVIDIA's best interest to pay up and keep the relationship on relatively good terms. Simply put, NVIDIA can't afford to be enemies with Intel or AMD (especially Intel).

I agree, though Nvidia also has some leverage in the form of SLI support for X58. As i said earlier i think cooler heads will prevail and an agreement will be reached. Both companies have something the other wants so working together on this at this point is makes sense.

 

[Wile E]

This is ridiculous that the lawsuit seems to think about QPI access. QPI is new technology and it is only available dominantly for Intel? Cut this crap for stupid competition. New technologies should be for everyone not for the guy who spends big bucks for it. Think about such things like QPI for CrossfireX.

No they shouldn't. If somebody makes a new tech, and it gets used, they deserve to be payed for it. Otherwise nobody has any reason to innovate, as it doesn't benefit them in any way. They essentially payed all that R&D money for nothing. Who do you know that would be willing to spend millions to R&D something, only to give it away?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I agree, though Nvidia also has some leverage in the form of SLI support for X58. As i said earlier i think cooler heads will prevail and an agreement will be reached. Both companies have something the other wants so working together on this at this point is makes sense.

I hope but NVIDIA sure isn't coming across as cool headed. It sounds to me like NVIDIA already has the gloves off.

 

[KBD]

I hope but NVIDIA sure isn't coming across as cool headed. It sounds to me like NVIDIA already has the gloves off.

actually both of them look like they have the gloves off. Intel started this whole thing, of course, for a reason but still. I just hope they realize that a fight is not in their interest right now.

 

[eidairaman1]

I'm sure NVIDIA purchased a license to the FSB technology shared across Pentium 4 through Core 2. Intel says that FSB technology is no longer in use so if you want to use the new stuff, you'll have to pay for it. I don't see how NVIDIA could argue their way out of this assuming the wording of the original agreement is clear. If it isn't, NVIDIA could squeeze by. Even if they could, I still think it would be in NVIDIA's best interest to pay up and keep the relationship on relatively good terms. Simply put, NVIDIA can't afford to be enemies with Intel or AMD (especially Intel).

FSB to me is such a general term now, because even then Intels FSB was a certain name same with AMDs.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Basically, whatever bus the memory resides on is considered the front side bus. HyperTransport and QuickPath Interconnect add more buses in addition to the front side bus.

 

[hat]

Ugh... why do they have to fight like this? Human greed is the cause of virtually all of our problems, including the apparantly crippling economy, wars, etc. If only Intel realized that by allowing Nvidia to make thier own chipsets for the i7 series, both Nvidia and Intel would make money. Battling it out for this type of "all or nothing" approach is senseless IMO.

 

[Azkeyz]

Thats beem my point all along, Intel want exclusive control of every aspect of a computer for ever.

The whole Intel "Matel" toy issue streaks across my mind ...

Lets remember Intel at the core carries the same philosophy as Microsoft ( complete market dominance )

I agree with nVidia on this, Intel is in trouble now that the GPGPU has been realised, and now they are grasping at straws trying to pull the ole ( I own the paten ) card.

lets not forget nVidia "almost" owns the term GPU ok so they own that one completely so you get the idea.

my prediction on this is that intel will throw the book at nVidia to stop them or at least cripple their plans to move into the CPU section with their GPGPU ( a term they came up with ligitimately. )

This is going to get way ugly before it gets better.

don't forget ATI want and deserve a shot at that market too.

I'm one of those people who WANT everything to be in one package and affordable
as long as it accomplishes the task. ( task in this case being an arbitrary term defined by the user )

I feel intel deserve no mercy on this as they have consistantly put forth only incrimental improvements while milking the public dry of every last penny and forcing people into the AMD corner.

You're not the flagship anymore Intel , get used to it , or do something about it besides legal actions.

"I'm still sore about the fact that 64bit is a simi lie and that it should have been and could have been released many years ago in light of the 64bit PS2 systems"

 

[PCpraiser100]

No they shouldn't. If somebody makes a new tech, and it gets used, they deserve to be payed for it.

At least allow access to purchase for EVERYONE.

 

[Hitman.1stGame]

nVidia doesn't need Intel , all nVidia has to do is build a game box around their video chips and Intel and anybody else would be out of luck.

who ever thinks Intel is the end all be all of the PC market are just plain stupid

I for one could care less about SSE SSE2 SSE3 , all I care about it does it let me surff the net
chat on yawhore and play video games that look real.
It's all gotten way out of hand and the war is on to build the first "affordable game box"
that accomplishes the things I mentioned.
.

that' could not be to happened because nVIDIA are not Sony or MS to make that ..
and what processor they will put on it :shadedshu
and there is game developers support it ..

reminding myself how my nVidia 6800 series card died a thermal death for no reason while ATI and sapphire cared enough to release the 3850 AGP
you wait and see , my prediction is that we will see a company come up with the type of system I mentioned, if that happens , I'll chunk my PCs in a box never to be seen or heard from again except when I need to have a good laugh.

do you know the resion make me build a new system form P42.4GHz to P4 3.4GHz
because can't find AGP card that's time alot stronger from my old FX5200 and support latest games ..so i bought Geforce 7600GS and hold on with me just 1.5 year until the strong DX10 Games comes around and make it a junk.. so i bought ATI Card HD4650 cheapest card make you run all games with out painful..