Happens that I received this on the CANlist mailing list today:
"For example, Profibus, nobody was allowed to build a master except
Siemens itself as Siemens is having the patents. So anybody can build
devices for Profibus. But for the master you always  have to buy the
high priced Siemens master. (Currently, there is an exception as there
is a second company that brought a license)"

This was written by a guy from CiA. Big discussion going on what should
be "open". Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CANbus to read the
archives. Read the "CANOpen Tiny and Code Download." thread.

Quentin

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