Xockets is accusing Nvidia and Microsoft of forming a cartel to infringe its patents on Data Processing Units (DPU) technology. The small company is suing the technology giants to receive compensation and stop the alleged illegal use of its intellectual property – which could prevent the launch of Blackwell chips.
To understand Xockets’ accusation, we need to go back more than ten years in time. The company was founded in 2012 and first showed off its patented DPU technology in 2015. After that, a networking company called Mellanox was allegedly the first to plagiarize Xockets’ product.
Mellanox was then acquired by Nvidia, with the acquisition completed in 2020. Thus, in Xockets’ claim, the owner of GeForce continued to violate its patents. Products such as BlueField, ConnectX and NVLink Switch use proprietary technology, according to the startup.
Microsoft enters the story as one of Nvidia’s biggest customers. The Windows maker reportedly worked with Nvidia to monopolize the GPU-powered AI server segment:
“Nvidia’s use of Xockets’ patented DPU technology has allowed Nvidia to monopolize the field of GPU-based AI servers, and Microsoft to monopolize the field of GPU-based AI platforms – and is critical to their success and market capitalization,” Xockets stated.
Lawsuit threatens launch of Nvidia Blackwell GPUs
The timing of Xockets’ lawsuit does not appear to be random. The company says it has repeatedly tried to reach agreements with Nvidia and Microsoft to be compensated for using the technology, and has been ignored.
More about Nvidia:
Now, with Nvidia in the crosshairs of antitrust investigations, Xockets’ lawsuit appears to make references to the formation of a cartel and market monopolization. In addition, the startup seeks to prevent the sale of Blackwell products until the litigation is resolved.
As the GeForce maker races to deliver Blackwell-based chips without delay, the possibility of a court injunction increases the pressure on the company to meet deadlines with its customers. It’s the kind of thing that would make many companies seek a quick settlement rather than pursue litigation.
Fonte: The Verge
Via: Data Center Dynamics
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Source: https://www.adrenaline.com.br/nvidia/xockets-processa-nvidia-e-microsoft-por-infracao-de-patente-em-dpus/
