Your Hardware, Your Choice: Confirming Our Approach to Firmware Protection

Hi Community! Two weeks ago, we announced that in a future update we would be introducing firmware verification the ensure that only official Commodore firmware could be installed on your machine. We made this decision with the very best of intentions, to protect users from unintentionally bricking their devices. But this era of Commodore was born out of a community that values freedom of choice the most, and this plan, whilst then still in the process of being formed, ran counter to that value. So let me say the following clearly, succinctly, and unequivocally:

We will not prevent you from installing other firmware on your Commodore 64 Ultimate.

Yes, we still have concerns about people bricking their Ultimates by installing the wrong firmware.

Yes, we still worry about the impact of return and replacement requests that result.

But that's 'Ultimately' an "us" problem, not a "you" problem. Instead, we will present a clear disclaimer that community-installed firmware, patches, or other modifications are used at the owner’s own risk, and Commodore cannot provide free support, free warranty service, or free replacement for units bricked or damaged as a result. We hope you'll agree that's a fair balance.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their ideas, opinions, and concerns. By speaking up, you enable us to engage in a dialogue where we can make sure everyone is heard, and has a say in what they feel is best.

Thanks for helping us get this 100% right. Commodore is the community, and the community is Commodore.

- Marc Bilodeau, Chief Technology Officer