Following AMD’s announcement that it would spin off its manufacturing assets to the newly-founded “The Foundry Company” – which is partially owned by the Abu Dhabi government – Intel was quick to voice it had “serious questions” about the transaction, specifically in reference to a cross-licensing agreement that allows AMD to use Intel’s x86 chip instruction set.

This agreement basically restricts AMD from transferring any of Intel’s intellectual property to a third party. AMD, however, is confident that the transaction is structured in a way that doesn't violate any agreements and recently said that the matter should be work out between the firm’s lawyers. Intel, for its part, says it will defend its chip patents against any violations as it continues to review their options – which perhaps will include creating some leverage to make AMD drop its long-standing lawsuit against the company.