Intel to buy about 190 patents from RealNetworks for $120 million
28 Jan 2012
Global chip maker Intel yesterday announced that it will buy about 190 patents from RealNetworks for $120 million, as technology companies fight it out in global courts accusing each other of infringing their intellectual property.
Seattle, Washington-based RealNetworks, founded by ex-Microsoft executive Rob Glaser in 1995, is a provider of internet media delivery software and services,
The company is the creator of RealAudio, a compressed audio format, RealVideo, a compressed video format, RealPlayer, a media player, RealDownloader and Helix, technology for delivering digital media to PCs, mobile phone and emerging devices.
Intel is acquiring around 190 patents and 170 patent applications worldwide, as well as next-generation video codec software, for $120 million.
As part of the agreement, Intel will acquire RealNetworks' foundational streaming media patents, a move that will expand its diverse and extensive portfolio of intellectual property.
RealNetworks will retain certain rights to continue to use the patents in current and future products and both companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on future support and development of the next-generation video codec software and related products.