(Updated) Intel forbids publishing benchmarks for microcode updates

Millions of keen eyes are not asleep: Bruce Perens noticed the addition of an item in the Intel microcode licensing agreement prohibiting the publication of performance tests.

3. LICENSE RESTRICTIONS. There are no additional issues. It is not required to expressly agree to the agreement; (ii) modify, adapt, enhance, disassemble, decompile, reverse engineer; (iii) third parties; or (iv) the product (s), or the software identified in the Materials; or (v) publish or provide any Materials benchmark or comparison test results.

Is the patch really spoils performance?

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Intel removed this clause and changed the license agreement. However, the microcode archive still contains the old version and will not be included in Debian until the license is updated.