Intel and Motorola settle staff dispute

Late last week Intel and Motorola scrapped a lawsuit which accused Intel of misappropriating trade secrets by luring away 16 of its rival's key employees.

Terms of the settlement have not been released.

Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector had claimed Intel hired Mark McDermott, former head of Motorola's Somerset Design Center, as part of its plans to establish a similar facility - a move that arguably violates laws against trade secret misappropriation.

The Austin-based Somerset Design Center is the birthplace of the PowerPC processor.