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Apple Plans To Make Chips For Handhelds

Posted by Soulskill on from the single-core-multi-core-or-apple-core dept.

Preedit writes "Apple plans to get into the business of designing microprocessors for handheld devices, according to legal papers that are part of a dispute between IBM and one of its top technology executives. IBM is suing Power chip expert Mark Papermaster for allegedly violating a non-compete agreement and accepting a job at Apple. In court papers, IBM claims Apple wants Papermaster 'to design microprocessors for incorporation in a variety of electronic devices, including handheld devices.' The suit, according to Infoweek, also notes that Apple earlier this year bought out P.A. Semi. IBM thinks it knows why."

6 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. Gosh and I wondered what they'd do with P.A. Semi by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When you buy a mobile chip designer what else are you going to do with it?

  2. Re:Steve's plans for world domination? by argent · · Score: 5, Funny

    Steve's more like Henry Ford than Big Brother. Any color you want as long as you don't want page-up and page-down keys.

  3. IBM has a case by blind+biker · · Score: 5, Informative

    except non-compete agreements were ruled unconstitutional

    And rightly so, I shall add. Non-compete agreements are total crap and I hope IBM gets smacked down hard in court over this frivolous lawsuit.

    What, you thought I was going to support IBM on this one? Don't believe everything you read in the subject line ;o)

    --
    "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
    1. Re:IBM has a case by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I prefer French law on non compete. If you have one of your employee sign a non compete, three conditions must be respected:
      -limited scope on geography
      -limited scope on time
      and the better one
      -while your former employee is unemployable due to the non compete, you must pay him a compensation for his unemployability. I don't remember how much but it's a certain percentage of the salary.

  4. I predict this will be a failure by Gizzmonic · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apple chips are bland and only favored by dieters and health nuts. Now if the company was called 'Tortilla,' well, then...that would be delicious!

    --
    (-1, Raw and Uncut is the only way to read)
  5. Re:non-compete == BS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Stealing designs is already illegal in the first place. Non compete agreements prevent you from taking a similar job after your current job has been terminated, even if you have no intention to steal your former employer's trade secrets.

    The real aim of non compete agreements is to lower your negotiation power. Take this salary cut, and no you can't go to the competition because of the non compete.