Intel to brand monitor startup screens with Inside logo

NOT CONTENT WITH HAVING the Intel Inside logo plastered in a tacky fashion all over your notebook if you buy one, Chipzilla has got cunning plans to ensure you see it when your PC is booting.

As the following confidential memo to its original equipment manufacturers makes all too clear.

Inside® Logo at System Start Up
In 2003, the Intel Inside Program's label requirements will be extended to the system start up screen. Your Qualifying Licensee Products (QLP) must display the Intel Inside logo each time the user boots-up their system. Seeing the Logo insures your customers that they have a genuine Intel Inside® brand powering their system. For Qualifying Licensee Products with an extended ingredient brand (Intel Brand with Platform Requirements), it also ensures your customers that all the Required Platform Components are included in the system they purchased.

What are the Basic Requirements?
By the end of 2003, all desktop, mobile, and workstation systems (QLP) must include OnScreen Branding during the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) boot-up. The appropriate Intel Inside Logo should be incorporated into your system as part of the next regular BIOS update after April 1, 2003. For desktop systems, this update would occur with the 865G/875P chipset release.

How Does it Work?
OnScreen Branding is designed to work with your existing BIOS. Once the user starts their system, the updated BIOS code will automatically detect the Intel Inside processor and display the correct logo. To help facilitate OnScreen Branding implementation, Intel will provide you with a software design kit (SDK) that includes:

Sample Code
All lntel Inside Logo Bitmaps
Self Contained Binary Module (for processor detection and bitmap display)
Trademark License Agreement

Intel also provides a comprehensive BIOS Writer's Guide that contains instructions on how to integrate the logos. This can be ordered, through your Intel representative. (Order Number 13138)

The SDK can also be found at the password-protected Intel® Software and Drivers Web Site at http://platformsw.intel.com/ . For questions about accessing the site, contact your local Intel representative. µ