Intel will defend patent rights

Intel has "serious questions" about a deal announced by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to spin off its manufacturing business and focus on chip design, and is ready to defend its patents.

Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy said AMD and Intel have a patent cross-licensing agreement under which AMD pays royalties to Intel.

"Intel has serious questions about this transaction as it relates to the licence and will vigorously protect Intel's intellectual property rights," Mulloy said of AMD's announcement.

Mulloy said Intel has asked AMD to make the agreement public but he said it would not, so he was not at liberty to discuss the matter in detail.