APPLE LICENCES MAC TECHNOLOGY TO IBM
By Adnews Staff
Apple Computer of Cupertino, California has licensed its Macintosh personal computer operating system to International Business Machines but IBM isn't planning to make Macintosh clones any time soon. Instead, it will sublicense the Apple technology to other manufacturers. U.S.-based Datatech Enterprises and Tatung Co. of Taipei, Taiwan are the first two companies to sublicense the Mac OS from IBM. The IBM Microelectronics Division will market hardware that can be used on computers running the Mac operating system. IBM says it will open three Mac OS technical support centres in Taiwan, the U.S. and Europe. Apple began licensing its technology in early 1995 in the hope that its own business would increase if other companies began making Macintosh clones. Although IBM is not making Apple-compatible machines, its global contacts and marketing muscle can take the Mac system to places Apple could not reach itself. Earlier this year, Apple, IBM and Motorola launched new computers using the PowerPC chip, a microprocessor that was developed jointly by the three companies.