Intel faces counter-suit

Intel is being counter-sued by Taiwan-based VIA Technologies, this time for patent infringement in Taiwan and the US.

While Intel lodged a suit with US District Court in Delaware, this week Via's marketing director Richard Brown said: "Intel processors and the Intel Pentium 4 processors compatible 845 chipsets infringe on Via's patents."

He stated: "VIA will begin filing a series of patent-infringement lawsuits and civil actions in Taiwan and US courts, seeking damages and injunction relief."

Intel sued VIA for its use of P4X266 and P4M266 chipsets that apparently infringe the giant's patents.

Separately, VIA has begun a litigation process against the semiconductor behemoth for violations of the Republic of China Fair Trade Law, plus the destruction of VIA property by Intel representatives and employees.

Via claims Intel failed to get a license from the Taiwanese company for the processors and 845 chipsets and destroyed VIA property at the Computex 2001 tradeshow, in Taipei in June.