Major players in the semiconductor industry are preparing bids for patents held by the failed high-performance PowerPC chip developer Exponential Technology Inc. Exponential will auction off 45 issued and pending microprocessor-related patents this week, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. The patents reportedly contain information that could help developers match forthcoming Intel products, namely Merced, with a greatly reduced risk of a patent infringement suit. Some in the industry think the patents could also affect the outcome of Intel’s current legal battle with Digital Equipment Corp. In addition to Digital and Intel, chipmakers Cyrix Corp and Advanced Micro Devices Inc are expected to bid.
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