HTC Buys Chip Firm S3 Graphics For $300 Million
Given the fact that some of HTC’s biggest competitors have been patent hoarding lately, HTC decided to do a little shopping of their own. What they came back with was graphics chip maker S3 Graphics and their patent portfolio from Via. In what could be seen as a very smart move by the Taiwanese company, HTC has managed to acquire S3 Graphics for a cool $300 mil, gaining some 256 new IP’s in the process.
Even though ownership of S3 Graphics’ patents will change, HTC will be providing a perpetual license of S3 patents to Via giving the chipset maker peace of mind and successfully blocking the possibility of future lawsuits. Can’t wait to see the fruit of this new deal and what it means for the future of HTC’s smartphones.
All these patent lawsuits going around these days are enough to give anyone a headache and keep CEO’s up at night. Instead of going on the offensive, it looks like HTC seems to be working on their “D.” Do your thang, girl – I ain’t mad at’cha.
[Via PCWorld]