This is something I need to research, as I was told it a while back but haven't actually validated. I'll try to do so sometime today and post if it's actually true.
In any case, as most of you know, Intel and AMD are sort of mutually dependent on each other now and probably for a long time to come.
Intel owns and developed the x86 architecture, while the AMD-64 architecture is-obviously-an AMD product. Intel has an AMD-64 license, and AMD has an x86 license. Again, at this point, neither really exists as a viable company without using the others' technology, since all the mainstream CPUs from AMD and Intel use the x86-64 architecture.
What I have been told, and again I'd like to research and confirm this, is that the license exists in perpetuity as long as both companies retain their current ownership status. If one company gets sold, the license goes away, and that company is effectively up a creek.
I'd really like to find out the truth about that, because if it is indeed the case, it ain't happening no way no how regardless of the money involved.
In any case, as most of you know, Intel and AMD are sort of mutually dependent on each other now and probably for a long time to come.
Intel owns and developed the x86 architecture, while the AMD-64 architecture is-obviously-an AMD product. Intel has an AMD-64 license, and AMD has an x86 license. Again, at this point, neither really exists as a viable company without using the others' technology, since all the mainstream CPUs from AMD and Intel use the x86-64 architecture.
What I have been told, and again I'd like to research and confirm this, is that the license exists in perpetuity as long as both companies retain their current ownership status. If one company gets sold, the license goes away, and that company is effectively up a creek.
I'd really like to find out the truth about that, because if it is indeed the case, it ain't happening no way no how regardless of the money involved.