Okay, if you're confused, I'll try to explain a little.  I don't really know if this is accurate, it's just what I think is the case (so don't quote me on this).

There are many different CPU architectures out there (ie MIPS, SPARC, ARM etc).  The x86 architecture was developed by Intel, thus I would believe that Intel has some patent on it.  The x86 architecture just happened to become popular, and nowadays, basically all "computers" use an x86 based processor.
Now it happens that Intel gave away licenses to other companies to allow them to produce x86 processors.  AMD obviously has one which allows them to use Intel's x86 architecture in their CPUs.
A few years back, I recall Intel saying that 64-bit was impossible on the x86 architecture.  Then in 2004, AMD released their Athlon64 series of processors, which had their AMD64 (aka x86-64) extensions on the CPU.  Intel quickly copied AMD's architecture and dubbed it EM64T (and I'm guessing from the above AMD gave Intel a license to do so).

Now if Intel has their way and terminates AMD's license to produce x86 processors, AMD is pretty much kicked out of the CPU market.  On the other hand, if AMD revokes Intel's ability to use AMD64, Intel may no longer produce x86-64 capable CPUs.  Intel could develop their own 64-bit implementation, but this will most likely break all current 64-bit binaries (ie Windows x64 will not work on an Intel implementation of 64-bit x86 processor; MS would have to recompile Windows for it to work on the "new CPUs").

In the end, both companies lose, though AMD probably loses more.  For consumers, it's definitely not a good thing as there could potentially be less competition.



Oh By the way, before the Core2's, Intel's CPUs were probably worse than AMDs in terms of heat :P

(This post was last modified: 17/03/2009 04:38 AM by ZiNgA BuRgA.)