Intel, the world's largest computer chip maker, was sued by the University of Wisconsin after the parties failed to agree on licensing a patent related to microprocessors. The university's licensing agency, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, or WARF, owns a patent issued in 1998 for technology it said improves the speed and efficiency of the chips, which it calls a "major milestone in the field of computer microprocessing." One of the inventors, Gurindar Sohi, presented his work to Intel and offered to discuss licensing it, according to the complaint. "Intel refused attempts to license the technology," WARF said in the filing Tuesday in federal court in Madison, Wis., where the university is based. WARF said it wants cash to compensate it for use of its inventions and a court order barring Santa Clara-based Intel from infringing the patent. An Intel spokesman said Intel has "been in discussions" with the university for more than a year and is reviewing the complaint."

ALL THE MORE REASON TO SUE FIRST AND ASK QUESTIONS LATER...