VLSI, a unit of the hedge fund Fortress Investment Group, had sued Intel in April 2019, alleging that products using "Speed Shift" technology infringed patents it had been assigned.

VLSI had sought $3.1 billion in damages which is not exactly chump change even for Chipzilla.

What was surprising was that the verdict was issued by a federal jury in Waco, Texas which has a habit of bringing in clams which favour the patent holder claimant so that it can get back to the busy schedule of lynchings and cow tipping.

However, it was not all clear sailing for Chipzilla in Texas. Another Waco jury on March 2 ordered Intel to pay VLSI $2.18 billion for infringing two other patents once owned by Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors. 

Intel is seeking a new trial in that case, and has said it intended to appeal the $2.18 billion verdict.

A third trial over similar patented technology is scheduled for June.