Three months after being accused by Transmeta of patent infringement, Intel struck back, alleging the maker of the Caruso processor is infringing more than a half-dozen of Intel's own patents and alleging the lawsuit is barred by a host of legal defenses.

Intel accuses Transmeta of infringing seven Intel patents relating to microprocessor technology.

Intel attorneys have invoked the doctrine of unclean hands in their counterblast. They say it applies to Transmeta and invalidates its infringement claims. Other defenses allege Transmeta's patents were obtained through "inequitable conduct" because inventors withheld material information during the application process.

Transmeta said it would not comment until it was able to review the details of Intel's response. ®

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