Features

Judge asks Intel, Intergraph CEOs to appear in court 

SAN JOSE — A federal judge in Texas has asked the chief executives of Intel Corp. and Intergraph Corp. to attend a mediation session in an effort to settle a patent lawsuit between the two companies. 

Intel chief executive Craig Barrett and Intergraph chief executive James F. Taylor Jr. were asked to be at the meeting Sept. 26 in Marshall, Texas. 

U.S. District Judge T. John Ward made the request after indicating he would rule next month on Intergraph’s patent infringement suit against Intel if the two sides cannot reach a settlement. 

Huntsville, Ala.-based Intergraph alleges Intel’s Itanium processor infringes on two patents. In another case settled earlier this year, Intel paid Intergraph $300 million to end a lawsuit involving Intergraph patents and Intel’s Pentium chips. 

Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy said it was not known whether Barrett will personally appear at the mediation session. 

“We will have someone of senior rank present and willing to participate in the mediation,” he said. 

An Intergraph spokeswoman did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment after business hours Wednesday. 

‘Monsters, Inc.’ sets  

one-day sales record 

LOS ANGELES — The Disney/Pixar animated film “Monsters, Inc.” set a one-day sales record of 5 million DVD and video copies on its first day of release, the studios reported Wednesday. 

The one-day figure breaks the previous record of 4.5 million units set by Disney’s “The Lion King.” 

Fewer than 1 million of the “Monsters, Inc.” sales came from pre-orders. Most sold at retail stores and over the Internet on Tuesday, Disney said. 

The film is available in the double-disc DVD edition at a suggested retail price of $29.99, and the VHS tape with a suggested retail price of $24.99. 

Pioneer warns of problem  

with DVD recorders 

LONG BEACH — Pioneer Electronics Inc. is warning consumers who use its popular DVD recorders to download and apply an important software repair to prevent permanent damage that could occur when recording video using new high-speed discs. 

Pioneer said it was “extremely important” that consumers apply the software repair, which it made available free on its Web site and by mail. Without it, Pioneer indicated its drives could freeze when using high-speed blank DVDs.