Intel makes $75m splash for wireless patents

Intel has inked a $75m deal to acquire patents from biotechnology and telecommunications firm Aware.

Aware, which specialises in software for both telecommunications and biometric systems said that the deal would cover a number of wireless technologies.

Among the patents involved in the deal are documents which cover Wi-Fi networking, home network platforms and LTE wireless broadband networks.

The deal is still said to be waiting final approval and regulatory clearance.

Intellectual property has become a hot commodity in recent months as firms look to solidify their holdings and protect themselves from litigation.

Firms including Microsoft, Facebook, and AOL have all been involved in high-profile patent transactions recently.

Last year, Intel was one of the firms linked to a bidding war for a collection of patents from Nortel. The deal was eventually awarded to a group which included Apple, Microsoft and RIM.

Intel has thus far avoided being dragged into the recent legal battles over patent infringement.

Major vendors including Apple, Google, Samsung and Facebook have been facing off in courts around the world over allegations of patent infringement and licensing.

Word of the deal comes as Intel continues to roll out its Ivy Bridge platform. The company recently unveiled a set of quad-core processors for desktop and notebook systems.