The Inter-IC (I2C) bus is a two-wire serial interface developed by Phillips/Signetics[tm]. MicroChip have stated this in all thier data books. The licence for these devices are simple i.e. you use the product so you buy the licence. before you go on have you read the licence it is very open. I will not repeat it all but the end result is any part bought by you is licenced.... the cost is included in the price you payed... bit like buying a pc with Windows thrown in i.e. pre installed, then going over to linux or some other os. and expecting bill gates to refund the cost of windows? but then in the end Phillips do own the rights to i2C so why not except the fact. ----- Original Message ----- From: Rob R To: Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 7:57 PM Subject: Re: I2C COPYRIGHTS??? | Ok let me simplify my situation a little bit..I am using a 24LC32 serial eeprom from microchip. Now, isnt that an I2C 2wire bus device? If so, the code I am using to read and write to the eeprom I of course have written myself, I am using a 16F84, so i would not have to obtain a license to distribute my product correct? | | Now if the 24LC32 is not an I2C device they coulda fooled me. In that case phillips dont exist in this ; ) and how does one get away with that? By calling it a serial eeprom instead of an I2C eeprom or some kind of legal trickery. Like Vanella Ice claiming he had 1 more beat added in his song, so technically he did not steal the Queen song..im sure. | | Rob | | On Sun, 26 Mar 2000 11:09:08 -0500 Spehro Pefhany wrote: | >At 04:18 PM 3/26/00 +0100, you wrote: | >>My reaction would be that it is up to them to prove the devices are using | >I2C. | >>If there are known I2C devices in the circuit such as eeproms, then by using | >>them I have bought the implied license, even if interfaced to a | >\"non-licensed\" | >>device such as a PIC, where I have written a bit-banging program to do the | >>interface. If there are no known I2C devices in the circuit, the protocol | >is my | >>trade secret, until they can prove I have based it on I2C. | > | >In practical terms, it probably means that you shouldn\'t advertise your | >device as being I2C unless it\'s licensed as such from Philips. | > | >So, if you use a _PIC_ to make a module that has an I2C interface, you | >might be taking a risk advertising it as I2C (assuming Microchip is *not* | >paying royalties to Philips), \"2-wire\" might be more prudent. | > | >BTW, does anyone know if there is an official logo or graphic image | >for products that the I2C standard? | > | >Best regards, | > | > | >=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= | >Spehro Pefhany \"The Journey is the reward\" | >speff@interlog.com | >Fax:(905) 271-9838 (small micro system devt hw/sw + mfg) | >=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= | > | | Send someone a cool Dynamitemail flashcard greeting!! And get rewarded. | GO AHEAD! http://cards.dynamitemail.com/index.php3?rid=fc-41 |