On Thu, 11 May 2000 17:59:51 -0400 Chris Eddy writes: > Colleagues; > > I have been asked to design a product that will replace an > intelligent > sensor in a sensor system. The sensors have some form of serial > communications over some form of fixed wire modem signal link. The > technology appears to be fairly simple. > > In order to design a replacement, I would study the signal and > communications messages. I predict that it will be relatively > straightforward. The question is, when is a protocol proprietary > and > when is it acceptable to study ones' competitors product and design > a > replacement? > > I step gently because I am always one who leaps to the anti-chip > copy > side of the argument. I sure wouldn't want to be seen as a > hypocrite. > > Chris Eddy I believe "reverse engineering" is a time honored tradition. I think one is able to "copy" someone elses product unless there is a patent or copyright involved or the information about the product is obtained through theft (a former employee left with the notes, thereby violating trade secret.) instead of reverse engineering. Trade secrets have an advantage over patents in that they do not expire. But, if someone figures out your trade secret, you have no protection. Here, I'd guess that if there is no patent on the protocol, you are free to reverse engineer it. NOT A LEGAL OPINION... Harold ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.