Distribution of WinARM project files

Ralph Hempel wrote:
> Martin,
>
> I have an open source projects that I would like to
> release skeleton project files for, but based on the
> WinARM framework in your projects.
>
> What is the legal status of the AT91 files that you
> are distributing with your projects modified for
> WinARM?
>
> The headers of the h files say:
>
> //  DISCLAIMER:  THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY ATMEL "AS IS" AND ANY
> EXPRESS OR
> //  IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED
> WARRANTIES OF
> ...
> // Generated           : AT91 SW Application Group  01/16/2006
> (16:36:06)
>
> But does this really mean they are open source and releasable
> by anyone?

This is how I understand this. Atmel provides code on at91.com as
"getting started" code for the AT91 evaluation boards. I have used some
of this code. Sometimes there is nearly nothing left form the orignal
code but I kept the "Atmel-header" as reference and tried to mark my
changes/modifications/extensions in addtion. I don't think they claim
any copyright on this but for a final answer you might ask the Atmel
AT91 SW-group (via e-mail to at91(at)atmel(dot)com).

> And what is the status of the linker scripts and make
> files (which are really quite elegant - and I LOVE make)
> in your projects?

The "WinARM makefile-templates" are free. Most of the linker-scripts
should be marked as free. If you find a copyright with my name please
ask me "off-forum" by e-mail (mthomas(dot)rhrk(dot)uni-kl(dot)de).

> Can I use them as a framework and release them (with credit of course)
> in my own projects?

From my side it's ok to use the "framework" in own projects. Credits
would be nice. The WinARM example-applications are ment as "getting
started" for own projects with the GNU arm-elf-toolchain.

Martin Thomas