Intellectual Ventures hauls in new patents from Transmeta |
Follow the ups and downs of a new Seattle startup in a series of behind-the-scenes posts by its founders.
Intellectual Ventures, the Bellevue-based patent collecting firm founded by former Microsoft CTO Nathan Myhrvold, just made a significant addition to its portfolio.
The firm has acquired more than 140 U.S. patents and "a substantial number" of pending patent applications that once belonged to Transmeta, a microprocessor and semiconductor company that recently became part of Novafora.
Intellectual Ventures describes the Transmeta patents this way:
This portfolio contains relatively young patents; many were issued in the last few years. Transmeta licensed these patents to several of the largest microprocessor companies to generate revenue of approximately $300 million. The company was a pioneer in low-power microprocessor technology, “code morphing” techniques, and very long instruction word design architecture.
Intellectual Ventures has sparked controversy with its business model. The firm has purchased a vast store of technology patents -- reportedly numbering in the thousands -- from companies, universities and individuals, and generated some patent applications through in-house brainstorming sessions. It bundles the patents and licenses them to industry.
Many, however, suspect Intellectual Ventures will someday use lawsuits to pressure companies to pay for the use of its intellectual property. Myhrvold has said he does not intend to litigate, but hasn't entirely ruled it out.
The firm has satellite offices in Silicon Valley, Chicago, Austin, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore, Seoul, and Bangalore.
Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Glengarry Glen Ross Feb 5th to Feb 28th
One of the largest and most renowned regional theatres in the country, Seattle Repertory Theatre produces a mix of celebrated classics, recent Broadway hits and cutting-edge new works in two theatre spaces. Now playing David Mamet's American classic Glengarry Glen Ross through February 28. Join us for Sales Rep Industry night February 11 with the Puget Sound Business Journal. For details click here.
Join the Microsoft WebsiteSpark program and get software, support and visibility – at no upfront cost. You’ll benefit from fast and easy access to current Microsoft development tools, platform technology and server products including Visual Studio, Expression Studio, Silverlight, Windows Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Web.
Seattle-based Adhost is a WebsiteSpark hosting partner providing dedicated servers with free Windows Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 licensing for three years to Web developers enrolled in WebsiteSpark. Servers are located in our secure data center with SAS 70 Type II certification, 24x7 technical support and 24x7 client access.
WTIA 15th Annual Industry Achievement Awards
Held on March 4th at the Showbox SODO, this casual event celebrates and recognizes some of the best emerging and established companies in the Washington Tech Industry. The evening will feature a finalist company technology showcase and a variety of coffee, chocolate, and wine samples from local companies. More than 800 attendees are expected to be present at the celebration. Public online voting for Technology Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships will open February 3rd on the WTIA site.
We congratulate the 2010 finalists and look forward to unveiling the winners on March 4th. REGISTER NOW!