The DOS Deal
Summer 1980

IBM approaches Microsoft for a version of DOS for the 16-bit Intel 8088 processor in their forthcoming IBM PC.

Microsoft doesn't have one.

Seattle Computer Products has 86-DOS written by Tim Paterson for the 16-bit 8086.

MS-DOS = 86-DOS + $30,000
- MS buys the rights

These notes are taken primarily from (1) and (2). Need specific citations.

PC-DOS = MS-DOS
- MS provides MS-DOS for IBM PC
- MS collects of royalty of $10-$50/copy

Microsoft retains the rights to market MS-DOS
- Microsoft dominates small OS market
- MS makes big bucks!

Notes

1. Martin Campbell-Kelly and William Aspray. Computer: A History of the Information Machine (Basic Books, 1996).

2. Paul E. Ceruzzi, A History of Modern Computing, 2nd ed. (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2003).

Bibliography

"Origins of MS-DOS," http://www.patersontech.com/Dos/ (Paterson Technology, accessed 2004 Nov 19). This collection has several original documents.