IBM, amid confusion over its goals, is planning to sell 'clone' PCs in Europe

IBM does in fact plan to sell 'clone' microcomputers in Europe. Confusion about this policy was engendered by remarks made by IBM's microcomputer chief, James Cannavino, who summarized IBM's clone strategy, saying that the IBM company does not sell clones. Now, IBM says Cannavino meant that the IBM brand name will not be associated with lower-quality machines. IBM will, in fact, buy clone computers made in Asia and will resell them under a non-IBM label through a European subsidiary. IBM currently is pursuing various marketing strategies, including the possibility of mail-order sales and creating new lines of products. IBM's aim is to stop microcomputer market-share losses to clone manufacturers.