Apple's quiet focus on chip design continues, with news that the company has lured one of IBM's top executives to Cupertino - but there's a legal dispute in sight.
IBM's former vice president of microprocessor technology development, Mark Papermaster, will work closely with Apple CEO Steve Jobs in his new post, reportedly tasked with expanding the company's presence in the server market.
However, IBM has filed a lawsuit against Papermaster to prevent him taking the Apple job, and to force him to keep any IBM secrets away from his new employers.
Stakes are high: Papermaster is IBM's top expert in Power architecture and technology. And given Apple's acquisition of PA Semi earlier this year, there's clearly some interest in chip design inside Apple's halls.
While PA Semi engineers were apparently tasked with chip design for the iPhone and iPod products, the luring of Papermaster suggests the company has more extensive plans.
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