National Semiconductor Inc has finalized the sale of the its x86 Cyrix unit to VIA Technologies for $167m. The aim of the deal is to enable the Taiwanese chip design house to make Pentium- compatible chipsets using NatSemi’s x86 patent license – much to the annoyance of Intel Corp, which has a patent infringement lawsuit pending against VIA. The company recently signed a foundry deal with NatSemi.
The completion of the deal is good news for NatSemi which has got rid of the loss-making x86 PC processor division while keeping the MediaGX team, which worked on NatSemi’s new Geode PC-on-a- chip. Bill Callahan, head of public relations at NatSemi, said that VIA would be able to use NatSemi’s x86 license, despite Intel’s objections. Our lawyers say we have the right to do it, he said. Intel disputes this. We are aware of their position. We disagree, said Chuck Malloy, legal spokesperson at Intel. The issue, Malloy said, would be dealt with as part of the litigation with VIA.
