> I have determined at this point that I can reproduce 
> equivalent functionalities of the DS2450, DS18B20, and others 
> using a PIC.  It will take me some weekends of 
> development/coding, but I feel it will be best in the long 
> run and should eventually recover the costs.  I do like the 
> 1-wire concept, but now need to figure out if changing the 
> specifics of the protocol and associated timing will still 
> violate their IP.
> 
> Cheers,
> -Neil.

I understand that you may wish to do this as a "for profit" project, and
this assumes that it could actually be done, but if you were to "open
source" a design, there is effectively nothing that they can do to stop the
publication of a program for a PIC that duplicates the function of one of
their devices. They may be able to shut down one web site with that code
posted, but as soon as they do it, 50 others will copy the code and the fact
that they shut down the page will be posted on all the news channels (e.g.
digg, slashdot, etc...) and they will just be spreading the hate. Ask
scientology about that. Takedown orders have exactly the opposite effect.

I've never received a take down letter yet... I'm sort of looking forward to
my first one. Bad attitude, I know.

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