自立門戶 蘋果自研GPU即將登場

Imagination表示，蘋果已通知其在未來的15個月至2年時間內，都將不會採用其相關圖像技術，也就是意味著將不再需要繳納相應的專利費。

且其表示蘋果聲稱自己一直在獨立的開發圖像處理等相關技術，並將運用在自家產品上，從而在未來減少對其的技術依賴。作為供應商的Imagination自然不服氣，在聲明中直接表示，從0開始來設計一個全新的GPU架構，並且還不侵犯相關專利，是個非常有挑戰性的事。暗示著你丫要是侵權，就等著吧。

一直以來，蘋果都採用Imagination Technologies的GPU，相關性能表現都可圈可點。並且按照蘋果對於新技術的掌控以及習慣，可見其一直在秘密研發的圖像處理技術是足夠的成熟，不然才不會用在iPhone等產品線。至於何時才能夠正式亮相？或者就是iPhone 8吧。

以下為《Discussions with Apple regarding license agreement》原文：

Imagination Technologies Group plc (LSE: IMG, 「Imagination」, 「the Group」) a leading multimedia, processor and communications technology company, has been notified by Apple Inc. (「Apple」), its largest customer, that Apple is of a view that it will no longer use the Group』s intellectual property in its new products in 15 months to two years time, and as such will not be eligible for royalty payments under the current license and royalty agreement.

Apple has used Imagination』s technology and intellectual property for many years. It has formed the basis of Graphics Processor Units (「GPUs」) in Apple』s phones, tablets, iPods, TVs and watches. Apple has asserted that it has been working on a separate, independent graphics design in order to control its products and will be reducing its future reliance on Imagination』s technology.

Apple has not presented any evidence to substantiate its assertion that it will no longer require Imagination』s technology, without violating Imagination』s patents, intellectual property and confidential information. This evidence has been requested by Imagination but Apple has declined to provide it.

Further, Imagination believes that it would be extremely challenging to design a brand new GPU architecture from basics without infringing its intellectual property rights, accordingly Imagination does not accept Apple』s assertions.

Apple』s notification has led Imagination to discuss with Apple potential alternative commercial arrangements for the current license and royalty agreement.

Imagination has reserved all its rights in respect of Apple』s unauthorised use of Imagination』s confidential information and Imagination』s intellectual property rights.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

This announcement contains inside information.