AMD and Intel agree on use of MMX name

Recognition of MMX as an Intel trademark allows chip rival to incorporate the term in its recently released K6 processors

Intel and AMD have buried the hatchet and settled their trademark dispute over the use of the term MMX only one month after the chip giant sued its rival.

In March, Intel launched a lawsuit claiming that AMD and Cyrix were infringing its trademark by using the term MMX, just days before the launch of AMD?s K6 processor. Intel claimed that it had ?begun implementing strategies to improperly leverage Intel?s enormous investment in the MMX trademark, which meant confusion in the minds of consumers as they make buying decisions.? (See PC Dealer, 26 March.)

But Intel and AMD managed to avoid a drawn-out courtroom battle by agreeing a settlement. AMD has agreed to acknowledge MMX as a trademark owned by Intel, but Intel will still allow AMD to use the term MMX in worldwide marketing of its recently launched K6 microprocessors.

Thomas McCoy, AMD vice president and general counsel, said: ?Our agreement with Intel secures for AMD and its customers the ability, on a worldwide basis and in all channels of distribution, to continue promoting the MMX capabilities of the K6 processor, including the use of the term in the K6?s logo.?

An Intel representative said: ?The important thing for us all along has been the acknowledgement of our ownership of the MMX trademark.?

AMD has retaliated against Intel, claiming that its K6 processor can match the performance of Intel?s Pentium family at a lower cost. ?We are going to price our K6 at least 25 per cent less than the equivalent Intel product,? said an AMD representative.

Meanwhile Intel is planning to launch an updated line of Pentium II (Klamath) processors next month.

Cyrix and Intel made a similar settlement on MMX earlier this month.