Letter to Microsoft to open-source MSX Bios and MSX Basic

Why, can't we?
Because he asked me to. And I think he's doing us a huge favor.

So, let's change tcruise's 1st draft to include permission to mod it. If it's common sense that MS would not allow the Debian like (as Quibus asked), let's try to find another one. I must confess: I'm confused....

Manuel, can you write down what you would like to be added/modded to the following text:

To whom it may concern,

This is an open letter from the current members of the MSX community to request the general release or license of the MSX BIOS, BASIC and documentation.
This release does not have to be fully open-sourced, but at least have a license that makes it easy to copy and modify it, without restrictions.

Benefits to Microsoft:
• No loss to Microsoft, as there is very little chance of future revenues.
• Increasing goodwill to a community that loves their BIOS and who provide free promotion of Microsoft as a whole.
• Boosting retro computing (which has been gaining broad consumer appeal), especially a system Microsoft was involved in.
• The MSX 1 BIOS listing has already been released in the past (See MSX BIOS published by Quest Publishing in 1985)
• Other software companies such as Borland and Hitech have already released or relaxed rights on software to retro communities, so there is good precedent for agreements of this sort.
• It brings to light Microsoft’s early attempts at developing standards based operating systems which can surely only help to further Microsoft’s community image.

Why is this license/release needed?
openMSX is an emulator that runs on numerous operating systems, including Windows, that allows the expanding MSX community members to experience a MSX computer without having to obtain physical hardware (which is getting harder to obtain in working condition). This allows entry to retro computing to a much wider audience, previously restricted to owners of physical hardware.
In order to also make the use of openMSX available to a wider community it would be better for the MSX BIOS and Basic to be able to be distributed with the openMSX distributions, thus the catalyst for this request.

We do understand that there may be other parties (perhaps ASCII Corporation) that will need to be jointly involved in this request if it is to come to pass. But we are unclear as a community as to the current status of where any ownership lies. As a first step it would be good to have clarification on the status of each of the components.

This is actually a good initiative. You can consider suggesting for the letter the Ms-PL, but I think it would be good enough to release them in a free closed-source way.

Why, can't we?
Because he asked me to. And I think he's doing us a huge favor.
Yes, he's doing us a huge favor. I appreciate that. But you came up with it on February 1., and the letter must be ready on February 4. A very short time for such an important letter, especially if it is supposed to be backed up by the community.