MIPS Technologies and Lexra Resolve Lawsuit
Lexra Becomes a MIPS32 Architecture Licensee
Lexra to Transition into a Fabless Semiconductor Company Focusing on the Internet Infrastructure Industry
MOUNTAIN VIEW & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 31, 2001--
MIPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:MIPS - news; Nasdaq:MIPSB - news), a leading
provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for
digital consumer and network applications, and Lexra Inc., a leading
developer of portable RISC, DSP and NPU processor technology, today
announced the resolution of the pending lawsuit between the two
companies as part of an agreement reached between the two companies
that includes Lexra becoming a MIPS32(TM) architecture licensee.
Lexra will shift from the intellectual property (IP) licensing
business and become a fabless semiconductor company while at the same
time licensing the MIPS32 architecture for use in its upcoming network
infrastructure chip. Under the terms of the license agreement, Lexra
acknowledges the validity and enforceability of MIPS Technologies
patents. As Lexra is exiting the IP licensing business, Lexra will
assign its processor IP assets over to MIPS Technologies and both
companies will work together to convert Lexra's current customers into
MIPS Technologies' customers.
"We strongly support Lexra's new direction as a fabless
semiconductor company," said John Bourgoin, chairman and CEO of MIPS
Technologies. "Lexra has a proven capability in applying processor
expertise to new applications and we enthusiastically welcome Lexra as
a licensee and member of the MIPS community as they pursue new
opportunities within the growing communications marketplace."
"This agreement comes about as communications companies
increasingly prefer to purchase rather than develop complex network
processing components and we are excited about the opportunities this
represents to us as we transition into a fabless semiconductor
company," said Charlie Cheng, president and CEO of Lexra, Inc. "It
gives Lexra the chance to provide an innovative chip solution to our
network infrastructure customers, and at the same time work with MIPS
Technologies as partners."
About MIPS Technologies
MIPS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of industry-standard
processor architectures and cores for digital consumer and network
applications. The company drives the broadest architectural alliance
that is delivering 32- and 64-bit embedded RISC solutions. The company
licenses its intellectual property to semiconductor companies, ASIC
developers and system OEMs. MIPS Technologies and its licensees offer
the widest range of robust, scalable processors in standard, custom,
semi-custom and application-specific products. The company is based in
Mountain View, Calif., and can be reached at 650/567-5000 or
www.mips.com.
About Lexra
Lexra, Inc. is currently converting its business model to become a
fabless semiconductor company after successfully establishing itself
as an innovator in embedded microprocessor technology with a proven
track record for customer success. To date, Lexra has delivered seven
different processor architectures to over 30 licensees in six
different countries. Lexra is headquartered in San Jose California.
Further company information can be found at http://www.lexra.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding
the business of MIPS Technologies, Inc. Actual events or results may
differ materially. Many factors could cause the actual results to
differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to: that products will fail to
achieve market acceptance, increases in our research and development
expenses, the anticipated benefits of our partnering relationships may
be more difficult to achieve than expected, the MIPS Technologies'
ability to develop, introduce and market new products and product
enhancements, and the level of demand for semiconductors and end-user
products that incorporate semiconductors. With respect to MIPS
Technologies, we refer you to the documents that it files from time to
time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2001 and subsequent
Forms 10-Q and 8-K.
Note to Editors: MIPS® is a registered trademark and MIPS32(TM)
is a trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc. in the United States and
other countries. Lexra® is a registered trademark of Lexra, Inc. All
other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their
respective owners.
Contact:
MIPS Technologies, Inc.
Lee Garvin Flanagin, 650/567-5180
flanagin@mips.com
or
Lexra, Inc.
Michelle Robinson, 408/573-1890 ext. 608
michelle@lexra.com