Intel, Dell sue boffins over wireless LANs

DELL AND INTEL have countersued the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) over a wireless LAN patent.

CSIRO is an arm of the Australian government. Last year we reported a cabal of PC companies were seeking to topple its patent claim. It has offered to license the patent to the big boys.

Intel and Dell say CSIRO claims that its patent 5,487,069 is being infringed are invalid.

CSIRO alleges it owns this patent, covering the IEEE 802.11a and 02.11g standards.

Customers of Intel have asked it to defend and indemnify them against CSIRO's claims. "There is a substantial risk that Intel may be obligated to defend or indemnify one or more Intel customers against CSIRO's infringement claims," lawyers said in the filing made on the 27th of December.

"Intel is under a reasonable apprehension that it will face suit for infringement by CSIRO," the filing continued. µ

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