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Big chip firms eye patents
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August 1, 1997: 6:59 a.m. ET
Purchase could affect competition with Intel and its Digital litigation
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Major chip companies are believed to be lining up to bid on patents of a defunct Silicon Valley company that could affect competition with Intel and its litigation with Digital Equipment Corp.
Exponential Technology is planning to auction off 45 current and pending microprocessor patents next week, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The patents include inventions that could help develop future microprocessor chips, the newspaper said. In particular, the patents could allow competitors to copy a chip called Merced that Intel is designing with Hewlett-Packard without fear of patent lawsuits from Intel.
Intel is the industry chip leader that dominates sales. Digital earlier this year sued Intel for infringement on patents on its Alpha chip.
Patent experts believe Digital will bid on the Exponential patents. If Digital controlled patents predating the Merced patents, it could help in its litigation against Intel. Digital declined comment. 
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Intel
Digital
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