Intel Puts Microcode Benchmarking Ban On Linux Distros; Retracts Later

Well-known open-source programmer Bruce Perens has called out Intel for placing new restrictions on its software license agreement that prevents developers from publishing software benchmark results.

The inclusion of new clause bans benchmarking of the latest microcodes designed to mitigate the L1 Terminal Fault.

The controversial snippet of the license says: “You will not, and will not allow any third party to…(v) publish or provide any Software benchmark or comparison test results.”

For a very long time, Intel has been issuing microcode updates to combat flaws like Spectre, Meltdown, and the more recent one called L1TF.

But all of it has been affecting the company severely so much that the company resorted to legal methods to shush developers from revealing performance degradation in its products.

However, this attempt backfired in the enthusiast community resulting Intel in being heavily criticised for this step and finally forcing the company to rewrite the licensing terms.

Imad Sousou, corporate VP and general manager of Intel Open Source Technology Center, finally announced the changes via Twitter — “We have simplified the Intel license to make it easier to distribute CPU microcode updates and posted the new version. As an active member of the open source community, we continue to welcome all feedback and thank the community.”

The updated license doesn’t forbid benchmarking anymore much to the developers’ relief.

Also Read: Intel 9th Gen Core Processors To Arrive On 1st October: Core i9, i7, and i5 Lineup