On Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:34:32 +0200, you wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>For a commercial product, which has to provide proprietary 4-signal
>connection between two external devices, I am tempted to use SATA connecto=
rs
>and cable. They are cheap, mass produced and thus readily available.
>
>I looked into http://www.sata-io.org/ website and couldn't find any legal
>limitation to use SATA connectors for something not being actually SATA
>technology. Does anyone have a suggestion on where to look at to know
>whether this could raise legal problems?
>
>TIA
>--=20
>Ariel Rocholl

Why do you think there would be any legal issues?
Unless you can't buy a part without signing an agreement ( the only things =
that come to mind are
HDMI chips and Dolby) nobody can stop you doing whatever you want with it.=
=20
It would however be sensible to assign the pins in a way that won't cause d=
amage if plugged into a
real SATA thing & vice versa, and a "Not SATA!" label may be appropriate. .=
=20
Re-purposing stuff like this can be a good way to save on custom cables etc=
.. - I know someone who
uses USB   connectors for custom LED lighting intallations, as moulded cabl=
es in any length & colour
are available form stock, and nobody is going to find another USB port to m=
isconnect in a ceiling
void..

--=20
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