Intel fails to overturn $2.18 billion patent verdict, plans appeal

A U.S. judge has rejected Intel Corp’s request to set aside a jury verdict ordering the chipmaker to pay VLSI Technology LLC $2.18 billion for patent infringement.

U.S. District Judge Alan Albright in Waco, Texas, denied Intel’s motion for a new trial in a sealed order issued late Monday.

Jurors on March 2 had awarded VLSI $1.5 billion and $675 million for Intel’s respective infringement of two patents that were once owned by Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV.

Intel said in a statement on Tuesday it was disappointed with the decision and intended to appeal. It also called for reforms to prevent “litigation investors” from using low-quality patents to extract “exorbitant” damages, saying the practice stifles innovation and hurts the economy.