Is there no end

That is just right. Airc, IBM would'nt buy Intel's processor for the IBM PC unless Intel had multiple sources. This was to ensure supply to IBM if Intel's plants were overridden by bugs, damages by an infusion of dust (or aluminum powder.....;-)). AMD at least (and I think Seimens and NEC as well) was contracted to produce the 8088 cpu. AMD was given all info needed to clone the chips. This relationship continued through the 80286 and 80386 processors, but became very strained as AMD was making 386's cheaper and imho better than the intel products by modifying the Intel designs. Intel and AMD ended up in court over the 80486 chip ; intel claiming that the contract between it and AMD did not include information or production of this CPU. AMD was eventually forced to produce a 'clean room' 80486 design but because of the delays caused by the litigation they had plenty of time to do it.