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A comment on Experiments with disabling the ME on Sandybridge x230. Parent comment

Re:Experiments with disabling the ME on Sandybridge x230 by Fej on Tuesday September 13, 2016 @04:59PM (#12492178)
x86 is an Intel standard; they own the patents. Some of the patents have expired at this point but there's new ones which you would need in order to make a competing x86 processor.

x86_64 is an AMD standard, I believe still under patent.

Intel and AMD cross-license these patents to each other. As a result, any other company wanting to make x86 processors would have to purchase rights from both companies (assuming they're willing to, which is a big if), which would instantly make their products cost-uncompetitive.

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Re:Experiments with disabling the ME on Sandybridge x230 by sliverstorm on Tuesday September 13, 2016 @05:11PM (#12492280)
It's my understanding the only reason they cross-license today is both have big enough patent warchests as to place them in MAD. So it's probably quite unlikely Joe Startup could ever get a license.
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