Intel threatens AMD over cross-licensing

[Thrax]

In what can only be described as an exchange that keeps the market competitive, AMD and Intel have a comprehensive set of cross-licensing agreements. Amongst the most notable is AMD's permission to use Intel's x86 architecture and Intel's permission to use AMD's x86-64. Both patent suites, now a cornerstone of the CPU industry, are the basic building blocks for all of today's major CPUs. Howe... Continue reading (http://icrontic.com/news/intel-threatens-amd-over-cross-licensing)

[Buddy J]

Rabble at best. Neither AMD nor Intel can afford to break their symbiotic relationship.

[Leonardo]

Neither AMD nor Intel can afford to break their symbiotic relationship.Oh really? I would have agreed with you two years ago, but today? Sure, AMD is not completely without innovation these days, but Intel's ugly, old-tech P4 days are over but good. Intel is ahead of AMD in almost every arena, except GPU tech.

What technology does AMD have now that Intel really desires? GPU tech is irrelevant anyway, as ATI was acquired after the legacy legal agreements between AMD and Intel.

[Thrax]

x86-64. AMD could take it away and Intel would have to redesign every chip they have, and the redesign would not work with any 64 bit OS.

[MiracleManS]

Thrax nailed it. I'd say AMD certainly has the upper hand in this sabre rattling crap. That doesn't make them right, it just gives them an absolutely awesome bargaining chip.

[Leonardo]

awesome bargaining chipp..p...p....pardon the pun

[Buddy J]

AHAHAHHAA.