Intel files antitrust case against SoftBank-backed firm over patent practices

Intel files antitrust case against SoftBank-backed firm over patent practices

Chipmaker Intel Corp has filed an antitrust lawsuit against an investment company backed by SoftBank Group Corp who allegedly stockpiled patents to hold up technology companies with numerous lawsuits.

The complaint filed late Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Jose alleged that Fortress Investment Group acquired control of more than 1,000 U.S. technology patents.

Intel said that Fortress and other companies it owns or controls filed lawsuits against the Santa Clara chipmaker. It claimed that nearly every Intel processor made since 2011 infringed patents as the companies had obtained control of from NXP Semiconductors.

SoftBank did not respond to a request for comment. SoftBank also owns Arm Holdings, a British chip firm whose technology is making inroads on key Intel markets such as personal computers and data centers.