Re: Bug#282667: microcode.ctl: License clarification request: the microcode update file can't be distributed the way it is
On Tue, Nov 23, 2004 at 08:00:57PM +0100, Giacomo A. Catenazzi wrote: | / Copyright Intel Corporation, 1995, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 01, 02, 03, 04. | / | / These microcode updates are distributed for the sole purpose of | / installation in the BIOS or Operating System of computer systems | / which include a Genuine Intel microprocessor sold or distributed | / to or by you. You are not authorized to use this material for | / any other purpose. | /--- 2- Debian distributes an operating System, so we are allowed to distribute it. Maybe it's just that English is not my mother tongue, but I just can't help my reading the license statement as meaning: ``These microcode updates are distributed for the sole purpose of installation in [...] computer systems [...] sold or distributed to or by you.'' -- )^o-o^| Jan MinĂĄĹ | .v K e-mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] ` - .' jabber : [EMAIL PROTECTED] \ __/ phone : +44(0)7981738696 __|o|__ icq: 345355493
Re: Bug#282667: microcode.ctl: License clarification request: the microcode update file can't be distributed the way it is
2- Debian distributes an operating System, so we are allowed to distribute it. Maybe it's just that English is not my mother tongue, but I just can't help my reading the license statement as meaning: ``These microcode updates are distributed for the sole purpose of installation in [...] computer systems [...] sold or distributed to or by you.'' Actually, I think it parses this way: These microcode updates are distributed for the sole purpose of installation in (the BIOS or Operating System of (computer systems which include a (Genuine Intel microprocessor sold or distributed to or by you))). i.e., the sold to or by is the CPU, the computer system includes such CPU the bios or OS is that of such a computer system the microcode can only be installed in such bios/os. As expected, Intel wants to restrict such code to computers running their processors. If you ship AMD you can't distribute their microcode. Distributing a generic operating system doesn't match these conditions. /alessandro
Re: Bug#282667: microcode.ctl: License clarification request: the microcode update file can't be distributed the way it is
Jan Minar wrote: Package: microcode.ctl Version: 1.11-1 Severity: normal Hi, people! CC-ing upstream, as it applies to them rather than to Debian, and debian-legal, as it will end up there anyways. IMO, the microcode update license forbids the way of re-distribution as it is used currently by the Debian package (postinst downloads it from a website), as well as the upstream distribution (downloadable from a website). | /+++ | / Copyright Intel Corporation, 1995, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 01, 02, 03, 04. | / | / These microcode updates are distributed for the sole purpose of | / installation in the BIOS or Operating System of computer systems | / which include a Genuine Intel microprocessor sold or distributed ^^^ | / to or by you. You are not authorized to use this material for | / any other purpose. | /--- -- I think neither Debian nor upstream satisfies this. If this was true users would have to obtain the update manually (not that bad idea). Intel should be asked to ``clarify'' their license. -- This will take a long time, presumably, but as the code is non-free, therefore not distributed in Debian, and upstream will not likely remove it, and it's a bugfix anyway, who cares. debian-legal already clarified this. 1- Intel sent to us microcode and allowed us to distribute it. (see archieve of debian-legal) 2- Debian distributes an operating System, so we are allowed to distribute it. ciao cate
