Re: Intel Microcode License
Brian Ristuccia wrote:
>
> > /+++
> > / Copyright Intel Corporation, 1995, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000.
> > /
> > / These microcode updates are distributed for the sole purpose of
> > / installation in the BIOS or Operating System of computer systems
> > / which include an Intel P6 family microprocessor sold or distributed
> > / to or by you. You are authorized to copy and install this material
> > / on such systems. You are not authorized to use this material for
> > / any other purpose.
> > /---
> >
>
> The microcode is not Free Software and does not meet the Debian Free
> Software Guidelines since there's no permssion to distribute modified copies
> of the microcode.
Thus microcode is software.
>
> On first glance, it appears that Debian can distribute this in non-free,
> since Debian distributes an Operating System of computer systems which
> include an Intel P6 family microprocessor and the license grants permission
> to copy and install the microcode on such systems. However, upon closer
> inspection, it seems that the copying must occur on systems the license
> specifies that copying is permitted on. From my reading, these systems
> include computer systems containing Intel P6 Processors, Basic Input/Output
> Systems that run on computer systems which include an Intel P6 family
> processor, or Operating Systems which run on systems containing an Intel P6
> family processor. While it's quite possible all of the non-free masters and
> mirrors meet these requirements right now, it's inappropriate to limit
> non-free's upgrade path just so the P6 microcode can be included.
>
> Is the microcode on Intel's web site somewhere? Perhaps the postinst for
> your microcode loader could go fetch it.
Intel does not publish the microcode directly. But it supplies microcode
to the Simon (the maintainer of microcode_ctl).
Intel provided help to build microcode utilities for Linux. Thus I think
that Intel can help us, changing the license.
Considering that microcode is crypted and checked by CPU, and nobody
knows
the format of microcode or the internal CPU structure, I think that
changing license (distribution and midify clause) don't cause trouble.
Maybe they can add a restrictive clause on use (use is permitted only on
Intel CPU and only with original microcode).
What I should send Intel to convince to change the license?
giacomo
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