Another Technology Patent Case To Digest

The US Supreme court is going to have to decide on another technology patent case involving Intel, LG and Quanta which is a Taiwanese computer maker. The particulars of the case involve whether once a patent is licensed for use, can this licensing be passed on to a third party? When first ruled upon a lower court threw out the case, but an appeals court over turned the first ruling and now it is up to the Supreme Court to decide.
Here is what basically happened. Intel paid for and was licensed a set of patents from LG, which is a South Korean firm. Intel than incorporated a portion of the purchased patents into a chipset design. Intel than sold the chips to Quanta who manufactures computers. LG now wants monies from Quanta for using their patent. Quanta says LG should of gotten the money in the Intel deal.

So what could this mean to us as consumers? It seems that if the court sides with LG, it may result in higher computer costs since most companies get either their parts or systems built by Taiwanese companies.

So what do you think? Should LG limited the scope of their license agreement with Intel? Or should they be protected by patent law?

Comments welcome.

[tags]intel, lg, quanta, computers, systems, parts, supreme court, patent, violations, [/tags]