---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SPARC International Announces $99 SPARC Architecture License SunFLASH Vol 40 #24 April 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPARC International Adrienne Bachleda (415) 321-8692 x 238 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPARC Positioned for Volume Embedded Applications SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- April 7,1992 -- As part of its open technology strategy, SPARC International (SI) today announced that the SPARC architecture is available to anyone, royalty-free, for a one-time license fee of $99. This license gives developers the right to design, manufacture and freely market components conforming to the SPARC Architecture. The $99 license, available through purchase of the SPARC Architecture Manual Version 8 (distributed by SI) was submitted today as a core interface technology to the SPARCBuilders Portfolio, also announced today by SI. SPARCBuilders identifies and describes "building block" technologies available to hardware and software developers and integrators of both SPARC-based computer and embedded/real time products. 5 Years of SPARC Openness The open SPARC initiative, launched in July 1987 when Sun Microsystems began licensing its SPARC architecture and designs to multiple semiconductor suppliers, is now approaching its 5-year anniversary as the leading volume RISC architecture in the computer industry. SI's ability to offer the $99 license reflects the strength of the open SPARC initiative in high-volume SPARC-based workstation and related computing markets, and sets the stage for accelerating growth in 32-bit embedded/real-time market segments where chip volumes in the tens of millions of units are expected in coming years. As part of its trade association charter, SI monitors progress in many SPARC technology segments. The embedded/real-time arena has experienced a considerable increase in activity in the last six months. SI's roster of members focusing embedded/ real-time markets includes: Dassult Electronique, Ericsson, Fujitsu Microelectronics APD, Matra MHS, Philips International, Ready Systems, Sun Microsystems, Wind River Systems, and other unannounced embedded/real-time efforts. $99 License Availability The $99 SPARC Architecture license is available now. Interested parties simply purchase The SPARC Architecture Manual, Version 8, published by Prentice Hall (ISBN # 0-13-82501-4) and available from SPARC International and in technical book stores for $37. The manual contains a SPARC License Business Reply Card, to which SI will respond with an information package on obtaining a license. Simply sign and return the business reply card at the back of the manual to SPARC International. A licensee will receive detailed information, including a license to sign and return with a payment of $99.00 (U.S. dollars). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.