Sun has released the "code" for one of their microchips, the new OpenSPARC, under the free/open GPL license. This is awesome news — now, if only Sun would stop shipping crippleware DRM that relies on trusted computing to shaft its users, I'd be totally, utterly thrilled.
Goals of the OpenSPARC Initiative
* To significantly increase participation in processor architecture development and application design by making cutting-edge hardware intellectual property freely available.
* To eliminate barriers to the next big build-out of the Internet.
* To improve collaboration and cooperation among hardware designers.
* To enable community members to build on proven technology at a markedly lower cost.
* To encourage innovation.
* To foster bringing bold new products to market.
(via Lessig)
