Wi-LAN has agreed to let Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) off the hook for an agreed period of time in a case involving Wi-LAN's wireless patents.

The Ottawa-based patent licensing company issued a brief statement Friday saying that TI will be dismissed without prejudice from Wi-LAN's legal action No. 2:07-cv-474 in the U.S. district court for the eastern district of Texas.

The case, which involves 21 other companies, involves three of Wi-LAN's U.S. patents related to Wi-Fi wireless technology and power consumption in DSL products. Wi-LAN initiated the litigation in November 2007, claiming that the group of chip suppliers, equipment vendors and electronics retailers, had infringed and continue to infringe its U.S. patent nos. 5,282,222, RE37,802 and 5,956,323 by making and/or selling wireless and connectivity equipment and personal notebook computers which use the intellectual property covered by the patents.

Wi-LAN and TI have agreed not take any further proceedings against each other with respect to the patents at issue in this action, but only for an agreed period of time.

"Despite this agreement, Wi-LAN will still have the right to seek damages from, or bring a future lawsuit against, TI for infringement of these patents," the company noted.

Wi-LAN declined to comment on the reason for the dismissal when contacted by OBJ.