linux-firmware conflict with amd64-microcode

This is a problem with amd64-microcode. Packages in main get priority.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

@timg-tpi: The suggestion in this bug report is for linux-firmware to conflict and replace amd64-microcode, so that is CONSISTENT with the package in main getting priority.

So, I think we agreed on IRC that the right thing to do here is to remove the amd64 microcode from linux-firmware entirely, and remove the Provides/Conflicts/Replaces, so both packages can be installed together.

The amd64 microcode license isn't suitable for main anyway (doesn't allow modification or disassembly), so this is the best way forward.

rlaager - after re-examining this issue it was pointed out that licensing for the AMD firmware is inappropriate for packaging in main. On that basis I am going to remove all mention of AMD microcode (including packaging statements) in favor of the multiverse amd-microcode package. Furthermore, amd-microcode will actually do the right thing wrt to initiramfs hooks whereas linux-firmware currently does not.

Hello Grant, or anyone else affected,

Accepted linux-firmware into precise-proposed. The package will build now and be available at http://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-firmware/1.79.16 in a few hours, and then in the -proposed repository.

Please help us by testing this new package. See https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/EnableProposed for documentation how to enable and use -proposed. Your feedback will aid us getting this update out to other Ubuntu users.

If this package fixes the bug for you, please add a comment to this bug, mentioning the version of the package you tested, and change the tag from verification-needed to verification-done. If it does not fix the bug for you, please add a comment stating that, and change the tag to verification-failed. In either case, details of your testing will help us make a better decision.

Further information regarding the verification process can be found at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/QATeam/PerformingSRUVerification . Thank you in advance!

Hello Grant, or anyone else affected,

Accepted linux-firmware into trusty-proposed. The package will build now and be available at http://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-firmware/1.127.4 in a few hours, and then in the -proposed repository.

Please help us by testing this new package. See https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Testing/EnableProposed for documentation how to enable and use -proposed. Your feedback will aid us getting this update out to other Ubuntu users.

If this package fixes the bug for you, please add a comment to this bug, mentioning the version of the package you tested, and change the tag from verification-needed to verification-done. If it does not fix the bug for you, please add a comment stating that, and change the tag to verification-failed. In either case, details of your testing will help us make a better decision.

Further information regarding the verification process can be found at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/QATeam/PerformingSRUVerification . Thank you in advance!

Verified on both precise and trusty that the conflicting files are now gone, as are the dpkg conflicts against amd64-microcode.

This bug was fixed in the package linux-firmware - 1.127.4

---------------
linux-firmware (1.127.4) trusty; urgency=medium

  * Remove amd64-microcode for licensing reasons.
    The amd64 microcode is not suitable for packaging in main since
    the license does not allow modification or disassembly. Install
    the multiverse package amd64-microcode instead which also contains
    initramfs hooks.
    -LP: #1181145
 -- Tim Gardner <email address hidden> Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:56:48 -0600

The verification of the Stable Release Update for linux-firmware has completed successfully and the package has now been released to -updates. Subsequently, the Ubuntu Stable Release Updates Team is being unsubscribed and will not receive messages about this bug report. In the event that you encounter a regression using the package from -updates please report a new bug using ubuntu-bug and tag the bug report regression-update so we can easily find any regressions.

This bug was fixed in the package linux-firmware - 1.79.16

---------------
linux-firmware (1.79.16) precise; urgency=medium

  * Remove amd64-microcode for licensing reasons.
    The amd64 microcode is not suitable for packaging in main since
    the license does not allow modification or disassembly. Install
    the multiverse package amd64-microcode instead which also contains
    initramfs hooks.
    -LP: #1181145
 -- Tim Gardner <email address hidden> Wed, 25 Jun 2014 09:29:22 -0600

This bug was fixed in the package linux-firmware - 1.132

---------------
linux-firmware (1.132) utopic; urgency=medium

  * Remove amd64-microcode for licensing reasons.
    The amd64 microcode is not suitable for packaging in main since
    the license does not allow modification or disassembly. Install
    the multiverse package amd64-microcode instead which also contains
    initramfs hooks.
    -LP: #1181145
 -- Tim Gardner <email address hidden> Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:11:00 -0600

Hey,

there is a slight problem with the removal of the amd64-microcode from linux-firmware package. It tells me (and/or the maintainer) to install the multiverse package amd64-microcode instead. However, that package is currently not available for Ubuntu Precise. See my bug report affecting amd64-microcode package here https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/amd64-microcode/+bug/1335469.

Regards
Dalai