Other companies have been trying to get Apple to license this, but wisely, they have refused.

Apple still don't license their software to third parties.

I'm not sure where you would approach Apple to license a patent.

"Why would anyone invest in this merged platform unless Apple licenses the operating system?"

It's even possible that Apple will license some of that as well.

Apple doesn't license that for a good reason.

Apple licensed the Postscript interpreter, remember, for the first laser jet.

Apple licensed the software from Connectix later in 1991 and distributed it for free.

Apple licensed us some rights, and we reaffirmed our commitment to do certain things for the Macintosh.

We don't even know if Apple truly licenses the technology yet (they claim they do through their manufacturers).