Re: Intel Microcode License
On Tue, Oct 31, 2000 at 10:37:28AM -0800, Brian Frederick Kimball wrote:
> On Tue, Oct 31, 2000 at 11:27:45AM +0100, Giacomo Catenazzi wrote:
>
> > Maybe they can add a restrictive clause on use (use is permitted only on
> > Intel CPU and only with original microcode).
>
> Can copyright holders control use (i.e. execution) of software?
>
A person who has lawfully aquired copyrighted software is pretty much free
to do with it as they choose - aside from distributing copies or other
activities that constitute copyright infringement. The intermediate copies
created in RAM during execution are no more infringement than the
intermediate copies of a book created on one's eyeglasses or on one's retina
while reading a book. Software which comes with an installed provides an
implied license to copy it onto a hard disk. Notwithstanding such implied
license, people who have lawfully aquired a copyrighted work have the right
to format shift it from a floppy or CD-ROM disc to bits on a hard disk.
(Note, however, that Intel may require people to agree not to use the
software for certain things before giving them a copy).
--
Brian Ristuccia
brian@ristuccia.com
bristucc@cs.uml.edu
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