Intellectual Property Law

History of Computer/IT Law (1982-1993)

By Michael Scott

Third Epoch (1982-1993)

Toward the end of the 1970s, advances in semiconductor technology permitted the development of the first inexpensive, relatively small computers ? ushering in the personal computer era. Most of the early companies have been long forgotten ? such companies as IMSAI, Cromemco and Osborne. One company, literally started in a garage, however, has survived. Apple Computer provided the first, fully assembled personal computer, and looked like it would dominate the personal computer industry.

Then in 1982, IBM announced that it would begin manufacturing its own personal computer. And not only that, but that its computer, unlike Apple?s, would be based upon an open architecture ? that is, any company that wanted to could build and sell an IBM-PC compatible machine. Other companies quickly entered the field with IBM PC-compatible machines, including Compaq and HP. What was most significant to the computer industry (at least in hindsight) was that IBM chose Microsoft to provide the operating system for its PC, and allowed Microsoft to provide the same operating system to any other manufacturer who wanted it.¹ (More after the jump.)

1. IBM had originally contacted Digital Research (DRI) for the operating system, since DRI had the leading personal computer operating system at the time ? CP/M). However, although the stories vary, DRI apparently snubbed IBM and IBM then went to its second choice ? Microsoft. See S. Krause, Short History of MS-DOS. [?]

Full post as published by Singularity on July 18, 2007 (boomark / email).