Mysterious Letter Gets VLSI a Reprimand in Intel Patent Case

US Patent and Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal chastised VLSI Technology LLC for publicly divulging details from a sealed letter filed as part of the agency’s review of a VLSI patent that’s part of a multibillion-dollar infringement verdict against Intel Corp.

Vidal, in a Monday order, described the letter as “an unsolicited, anonymous, and improper ex parte communication regarding this proceeding.” She reprimanded VLSI but stopped short of sanctioning the company.

The letter purports to show an improper relationship between Intel and Patent Quality Assurance LLC, an entity that lodged an administrative challenge to the validity of a VLSI patent ...