AMD FSR4 full source code release was accidental

AMD might be in a tough spot right now, and not because of competitors, but because of something it did not intend to do. Two days ago, AMD released FidelityFX SDK 2.0, which also included FSR 4. However, it became clear immediately after release that the company accidentally added open-source code to the official repository.

Although AMD acted quickly and removed the repositories, some linked files were available for many hours. Some are still accessible. Users have already created forks and, as many have noted, once code is released as open source, it cannot be undone. The code reveals that AMD was working on an INT8 version for FSR 4, but it looks unfinished and it is unclear whether it was ever intended for shipping hardware or if it is a leftover from earlier work. It is worth noting that AMD confirmed it was exploring RDNA3 support even before the RX 9000 launch, but made no promises.

Super Resolution Open-Source status:

• AMD FSR: ✅ FSR1, FSR2, FSR3 released as open source;🟨 FSR4/Redstone never confirmed to be open source
• NVIDIA DLSS:🟥 DLSS1-DLSS4 closed source
• Intel XeSS:🟥 The company promised to go open source but never did so

Since the code went live, there has been debate over whether AMD should follow through and release the full code as open source. AMD has released previous FSR versions as open source. For FSR 4, AMD never confirmed such plans, though many expected it.

If users downloaded the files from a repository that was under the MIT license, they received permission at that time to use, copy, and modify them. Deleting the files later does not cancel the license already granted. Open source licenses are generally non-revocable unless the user violates the license terms. One way a license could be withdrawn is if the publisher did not have the rights to the code in the first place. In this case, FSR 4 is AMD made, so this should not apply.

Source: AMD

Competition in super resolution and frame generation tech is intensifying, and AMD may not want to make things easier for rivals. It might make sense to commit to open source once a successor technology is released. Or AMD could echo Intel by promising and hinting at open source and never delivering.

We are not legal experts. If you plan to use FSR 4 code that was published under the MIT license or reuse it in your own project, consult legal counsel.

Source: AMD FSR4 Code, Cheese