Having given up hope of ever seeing the masks for the 32-bit 68020 promised to it by Motorola Inc under a September 1984 agreement, Thomson-CSF of France has resorted to legal action through the French courts, and is after the Schaumberg, Illinois chipmaker for some $525m in compensation and damages. Motorola has asked for talks to settle the complaint out of court, and the two are now in a huddle according to Electronic News. It is thought unlikely that Motorola will want to transfer the 68020 masks to the French firm – its European second source on other 68000 parts, because of its technology pact with Toshiba, which includes the 68020.
