19) NEC’s Last (?) MPU
Chip pattern of [V60], the first domestic 32 bit microprocessor produced by
NEC (Provided by NEC)
In the MPU market dominated by American players, Japanese
manufacturers gradually built up their competitiveness, and the market share
of Japanese manufacturers increased to 49% in 1986. Intel feared this situation,
and they limited the Japanese second source supplier license only to Fujitsu
in the late 16 bit generation, and then completely closed their door in the
32 bit generation.
Against this, NEC, Japan’s top supplier of MPU, changed the strategy and developed
“V series”, the NEC’s original MPU, and started sales of 16 bit V20 to V50
in 1983, and V60, the first domestic 32 bit MPU (as shown in the picture )
in 1986.
At the time, Intel and NEC were fighting fiercely in the law suit case in
US regarding the infringement of copyright of Intel by the V series microcode.
NEC finally won the verdict of “no patent infringement” in 1989. But, during
the 4 year lawsuit battle, PC manufacturers were obliged to use Intel’s MPU
for their PCs. Also by the judicial decision to recognize copyright on microcodes,
it became practically impossible to produce compatible MPUs without the license
from Intel.
Although V60 was born as a real product, it received severe restrictions in
the market development. (Provided by NEC)
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