Via's Pentium 4 plans upset Intel

It looks as though Via might be facing Intel in a second court battle in two years. As reported by vnunet.com yesterday, Via is marketing a Pentium 4 chipset without a licence from Intel, and it looks as though the chip giant might be strongly considering legal action.

According to a report in the Taiwanese Economic News, Intel spokesman Chen Chun-Shen said that the company would "not hesitate" to drag firms into court if they make Pentium 4 chipsets that infringe on its patent.

Via is already selling a P4X266 chipset which it claims does not tread on Intel's toes, and it wouldn't be the first time that the two companies have come to blows.

In May of last year Via was forced to settle a year-long disagreement over patent infringement in Pentium 2 and Pentium 3 compatible chipsets. The result was that Via paid Intel an undisclosed lump sum and agreed royalty fees on other chipsets it produces.

So far only three firms have Pentium 4 licences from Intel: SiS, ALi and ATI. But Via is hoping to provide tough competition by going in with a chipset costing $25 compared with Intel's own branded model at $38.