Is Apple Repeating Their Mistakes?

See: Macworld UK – PC makers want to license Mac OS – Jobs

Apple has to fight off three of the biggest PC companies, sick of the security bugs that plague Windows, wanting to license the Mac operating system.

Apple was first to manufacturer a personal computer that became hugely popular with both consumers and businesses. Without getting into the entire story Apple decided not to license their hardware designs for clone systems or their Operating System software to third parties. This opened the door for IBM and IBM compatible systems (think Packard Bell, Compaq, Tandem, HP, Dell, etc…) and more importantly the domination of the desktop by Microsoft.
While Apple has made a huge rebound lately starting with their iMacs and the iPod, iTunes, i if this story is true I really don’t know what to think. Is Steve Jobs turning down an opportunity to increase Apple’s market share to be in a position to truly compete with Microsoft?
The PC/Windows world is no picnic right now. HP just fired Carly Fiorina, IBM is selling their PC division, and Dell’s earnings decreased despite record revenue to give a couple of examples. Time will tell if this was a wise decision by Apple, I am just worried that the company will miss another huge market opportunity.