John, re: "why would the FTC
tell Intel that they have to licence the Alpha chip to
Samsung?"
DEC had already licensed Alpha to Samsung, a Korean company, some months before they sued Intel. I guess when the FTC decreed rights of it to AMD , they were just reiterating that Samsung shall continue to have rights to it. I don't know if Samsung has sold chip #1 with the name Alpha on it. Anybody know? Anybody care?
When DEC licenced Alpha to Samsung, the move was intended to get a very big world-wide semiconductor manufacturer to help push Alpha, and hence, up its acceptance. Obviously, it hasn't happened.
re: " Also, I am somewhat surprised that the Alpha is regarded
as Intel's biggest competitor."
Alpha may be a competitor re performance, but as you point out, sales wise, it's a noop. Intel's biggest competitor? I don't think they have a big one. Some perceive AMD as it.
re: " Plus it will be equaled
in a year or two by Intel's Merced, which everybody will
want to support. So is this who issue a
dead letter, or am I missing something?"
I don't think you're missing anything. IMO, Alpha was like a dupe in the DEC - Intel lawsuit settlement. Now it's drawn further anonymity in the FTC settlement. To me, 'much ado about nothing.'
Tony |
