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WARF and Intel Settle Patent Suit Over Core 2 Duo

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the with-a-bat'leth dept.

reebmmm writes "The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and Intel have settled their patent suit over technology developed by Gurindar Sohi, a computer science professor at the University of Wisconsin — Madison. Professor Sohi developed technology that was ultimately patented by WARF using money he received from Intel. Last month, Judge Barbara Crabb found that the funding agreement was ambiguous, but that e-mails revealed that the money was an unrestricted gift and carried with it no obligation to license or assign any inventions to Intel. Trial was scheduled to begin today. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed."

2 of 79 comments (clear)

  1. Was this a Tax Dodge - or Graft? by turtleshadow · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Was this a huge tax dodge?
    "Intel had supported Sohi's research with about $90,000 in gifts in the 1990s and argued it was entitled to the intellectual property that resulted from the funding."

    So he got at least $90k in unreported income in form of gifts to keep his research going which in turn benefitted Intel?

    This appears like a gift/graft which by-passed the administration. Then it's basically a way of scamming income without having to pay taxes as I think you don't have to pay taxes on a gift if its below a certain threshold?

    Why isn't anyone picking up on the fact Sohi was possibly working for them illegally? Did the H1B's run out? Why all the subterfuge to hid the payments for work rendered to Intel?

    Frankly this is bad academic practice. Intel may try pressuring the next guy to do the same or may be held up in IP court by the next guy due to poor business/academic relations & accounting practices.

    "He wrote in a 2000 e-mail uncovered during the litigation that he had a "gentleman's agreement" with Intel in which he would not aggressively seek patents but would keep the company informed if he did." -- Im sure the University's Counsel liked to hear that.

    He may be a good scientist but his business ethics - yes the do exist - seem shaky.
    Wouldn't we all like to get 90k under the table on a gentlemen's agreement from Intel

  2. Did anyone else imagine Warf, ... by Hurricane78 · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    ...the love child of Worf* and Barf arguing with Gordon Moore in a court room?
    ___
    * Warning: Strong heart required. Not advised for people without eye bleach at hand.

    --
    Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.