Intel settles strained silicon patent case

Intel has settled a patent case with Amberwave Systems and will pay undisclosed fees to license Amberwave's current and future patents during the agreement's 10-year term. 

Amberwave develops and licenses intellectual property for the semiconductor industry. The firm filed a lawsuit against Intel in July 2005 alleging that Intel's strained silicon technology infringed on two of its patents.

Strained silicon offers a way to increase the distance between atoms in a piece of silicon, increasing the material's isolating capabilities. This reduces overall energy consumption while increasing chip performance.

IBM first described the technology in June 2001. Shortly after the IBM unveiling, Amberwave disclosed that it had developed and patented strained silicon technology, which is used widely across the semiconductor industry.

Amberwave has publicly disclosed licence agreements on its patented technology with LG Siltron of Korea, but has not publicised any other deals.

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