Email or username:

Password:

Forgot your password?
nixCraft's posts Post Back to profile
Top-level
kuba86

@nixCraft
Can you provide more info on how UEFI secure boot is a vendor lock in? I have been using it on Fedora and seen it on Arch Linux, Debian etc.

20 December at 21:53 | Wall-to-wall | Open on mas.to
6 comments
𝔱𝔯𝔷𝔢𝔀𝔩𝔬𝔴 :lattentacle:

@kuba86 @nixCraft at least on arch you can't get secure boot to work reliabily, if you are not using microsoft's proprietary keys as an additional dataset. (don't know how things are handled regarding this on other distros)

20 December at 22:15 | Open on mastodon.social
Uriel Fanelli

@kuba86 @nixCraft The filesystem is a patent of Microsoft.

## FAT32: Microsoft Patent Status and Open Source Implications
FAT32 is a file system developed by Microsoft, but its patent and open-source status is complex:

### Patent Ownership

1. Microsoft holds patents on certain aspects of the FAT file system, including FAT32
2. These patents have been subject to legal challenges in various countries
3. Microsoft has granted royalty-free licenses for FAT use in some contexts

### Open Source Considerations

1. Basic FAT32 specifications are widely known and implemented in open-source systems like Linux
2. Open-source implementations exist but might potentially infringe Microsoft patents
3. Not truly "open source" in the traditional sense due to patent restrictions

### Practical Usage

- Widely used for universal storage compatibility
- Implemented across multiple operating systems
- Commonly used for removable storage devices and UEFI system partitions

### Legal Nuances

- Patent validity and enforcement vary by jurisdiction
- Some implementations exist in a legal "gray area"

The bottom line: FAT32 is technically proprietary but practically widely accessible, with Microsoft maintaining theoretical patent control.

@kuba86 @nixCraft The filesystem is a patent of Microsoft.

## FAT32: Microsoft Patent Status and Open Source Implications
FAT32 is a file system developed by Microsoft, but its patent and open-source status is complex:

### Patent Ownership

1. Microsoft holds patents on certain aspects of the FAT file system, including FAT32
2. These patents have been subject to legal challenges in various countries
3. Microsoft has granted royalty-free licenses for FAT use in some contexts

### Open Source Considerations

20 December at 22:51 | Open on x.keinpfusch.net
Desdinova
kuba86

@Eternal_Light @uriel @nixCraft
Most of what I was able to find online are issues around getting a digitally signed boot loader. Linux distros needs to pay Microsoft for having that "out of the box" experience. Microsoft is a CA in this case. However, in bios I can load any key so in theory, Fedora or any other distro could distribute their own key which users could load and no longer depend on Microsoft.
Of course that's not very user friendly.

21 December at 6:51 | Open on mas.to
Uriel Fanelli

@kuba86 @Eternal_Light @nixCraft UEFI is using exfat32. Microsoft patent. It is a fact. What you find online is just how good you are at googling, is not relevant.

21 December at 6:58 | Open on x.keinpfusch.net
Uriel Fanelli
Go Up