Global Semiconductor Alliance Announces Release of IPecosystem Tool Suite Version 4.0

Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) announces the release of its
IPecosystem (IPe) Tool Suite Version 4.0 that addresses the risk
factors and risk assessments of intellectual property (IP)
integration. The update to the IPe Tool Suite will be introduced
during the tutorial session, "Tools for Reducing the Hidden Costs in
the IP Supply Ecosystem," at DesignCon 2008, February 4 in Santa
Clara, Calif. Version 4.0 includes the Hard IP Licensing Risk
Assessment Tool, in addition to the Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment
Tool previously released.

The IPe Tool Suite enables more efficient communication between IP
vendors, integrators and foundries for IP interaction. The Tool Suite
creates efficiencies and lowers risk by reducing the time spent
collecting and communicating the information required to purchase,
integrate and utilize IP.

The Licensing Tool is the second Tool within the Suite. It focuses
on assessing the licensing risk an integrator is willing to accept
before making a determination regarding the acquisition of the desired
IP. The Tool provides a set of questions determining best practices
for semiconductor companies, regardless of expertise in the licensing
process.

The Licensing Tool functions similarly to the Hard IP Quality Risk
Assessment Tool, by providing a benchmark set of questions that cover
the major areas of IP licensing and acquisition, including scope of
license, payment, warranty, limitation of liability, indemnity,
governing law, confidentiality, term and termination.

"The licensing process can take up to 22 weeks or more," said Lisa
Tafoya, vice president of Global Research at GSA. "This new GSA tool
provides an objective measure that enables the negotiation process to
focus on the areas that really matter, which will accelerate the
process of purchasing IP from a vendor, aid in improving the
communication process and lower overall costs for IP integrators and
vendors."

Key benefits include:

-- Shortening the licensing time period by creating more
efficient communication and fact finding for IP purchasers

-- Allowing integrators to identify risk factors in a systematic
approach

-- Determining the level of risk that is acceptable for each
individual integrator

-- Providing a qualitative, yet effective, method for risk
assessment

The tutorial session, "Tools for Reducing the Hidden Costs in the
IP Supply Ecosystem" hosted by GSA and panel on February 4 will
address:

-- The IPecosystem Today - Moderator: Dr. Raminderpal Singh,
senior technical staff member, IBM IPecosystem technical lead,
GSA

-- Case studies using two common types of IP with the GSA Hard IP
Quality Risk Assessment Tool - addresses two types of IP,
providing insights on how to use the tool, questions to
answer, demonstrate what the tool answers, what the data shows
and how to make decisions on quality and licensing risks, and
applicability to chip integrators / IP vendors / foundries -
David Schwan, engineering manager, CAD and Layout, RF Micro
Devices (RFMD)

-- How these risk assessment tools are used in a collaborative
"partner-driven" environment - Walter Ng, VP of design
enablement alliances, design services division, Chartered
Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc.

-- Emerging trends in IP and how the ecosystem is working to
aggregate and disseminate data to add value to chip
integrators - Adam Traidman, president and CEO, Chip Estimate
Corporation

-- Open Forum Discussion on Technology and Manufacturing Tools
Needed Within the Industry

The IPecosystem Licensing Tool Version 4.0 is available
complimentary to the industry at
www.gsaglobal.org/ipecosystem/licensing/index.asp.

Additional areas planned for inclusion in the Tool Suite in 2008
include IP Technology and IP Manufacturability.

About GSA:

The Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) mission is to accelerate
the growth and increase the return on invested capital of the global
semiconductor industry by fostering a more effective fabless ecosystem
through collaboration, integration and innovation. It addresses the
challenges within the supply chain including IP, EDA/design, wafer
manufacturing, test and packaging to enable industry-wide solutions.
Providing a platform for meaningful global collaboration, the Alliance
identifies and articulates market opportunities, encourages and
supports entrepreneurship, and provides members with comprehensive and
unique market intelligence. Members include companies throughout the
supply chain representing 25 countries across the globe.
www.gsaglobal.org