AMD's Am386 Release: The Six-Year Delay and Legal Battles with Intel
By
jnord
Crisp on the outside, thoughtful on the inside. A keeper.
Summary
The article explores the historical context behind AMD's delayed release of its Am386 processor clone, which came nearly six years after Intel's original 386 CPU in 1985. It examines the legal battles between AMD and Intel, particularly focusing on how IBM's requirement for Intel to license its CPU design to second sources created opportunities for AMD. The piece discusses Intel's attempts to block AMD through trademarks and revoking 286 rights, and how these delays ultimately influenced AMD's future CPU development strategies.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledThere is a popular misconception that AMD wasn't good at cloning Intel CPUs.
Intel released its 386 CPU in 1985, and AMD didn't counter with its Am386 clone until March 2, 1991, nearly six years later.
AMD was finally able to release its Am386 in March 1992, even as legal battles with Intel continued until 1995.
When IBM selected the Intel 8088 CPU to power its IBM PC 5150, IBM insisted on Intel licensing the design.
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