Tech Law: Intel May Pull AMD License, Discovery Sues Amazon, More
Intel threatens to pull AMD cross-license agreement — Intel apparently really doesn’t like that AMD spun off its manufacturing assets and is saying that it will pull out of the cross-licensing agreement the two companies have within 60 days. The problem is that AMD is restricted from transferring the license and the spinoff, Globalfoundaries, is an independent company. [Source: CNET]
Infringement suit against Nintendo dismissed — A patent infringement suit that Fenner Investments filed against Nintendo two years ago over monitoring analog joy sticks has been dismissed. The suit alleged that Nintendo was infringing a 1998 patent although the company started using analog joysticks two years before. [Source: Engadget]
Discovery sues Amazon — Discovery Communications is suing Amazon.com, alleging that the latter’s Kindle violates a 2007 patent. [Source: Associated Press]
Apple sends c&d letter to branding company — Claiming potential confusion with its iPod trademark, Apple has sent a cease and desist letter to a small company called Procreate over trademark applications for the terms Flypod and Podium. Supposedly, only Podium is a product that is currently available, which could cause a different type of problem at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which demands that trademarks be in use. It also would seem that Apple could simply challenge the application at the USPTO. However, if Procreate withdrew its application, the issue would be over. But if it doesn’t, the USPTO might just allow the use and Apple would then have to challenge the decision in a court, which would be inclined to defer to the USPTO decision. [Source: AppleInsider]
Psystar to release yet another Mac clone — To paraphrase Dirty Harry, Psystar must feel lucky. Even during its legal wrangling with Apple over selling a Mac clone, the company has decided to release yet another product that we’re guessing Apple would also consider an infringement. [Source: ZNNet Behind the Lines]
SEC drops action against former McAfee lawyer — The SEC has dropped its lawsuit, alleging illegal stock option manipulation, that it brought against McAfee’s former general counsel Kent Roberts. [Source: Associated Press]
Gavel image via Flickr user Thomas Roche, CC 2.0.
Erik Sherman is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in Newsweek, the New York Times Magazine, Technology Review, the Financial Times, Chief Executive, and other publications. Follow him on Twitter.
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