Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!amdahl!apple!vsi1!wyse!mips!prls!gordon
From: gordon@prls.UUCP (Gordon Vickers)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: X-10 schematics wanted
Message-ID: <19857@prls.UUCP>
Date: 10 Mar 89 18:53:09 GMT
References: <1657@trantor.harris-atd.com> <6449@dayton.UUCP>
Reply-To: gordon@prls.UUCP (Gordon Vickers)
Distribution: na
Organization: Philips Research Labs, Sunnyvale, California
Lines: 24

In article <6449@dayton.UUCP> jad@dayton.UUCP (J. Deters) writes:
>
>The X-10 control format has been patented by X-10 Inc.  Specifically,
>it means that you do not have the license to transmit X-10 format data
>over your own power lines.  (I personally have a problem with this, but
>I understand that It's The Law.)  X-10 offers a control module that
>is designed specifically for the interested hobbyist.  The part number
>is PL513, and it comes complete with a license to transmit their signal :-).
>

    I don't beleive this is correct.  As I understand it, it is perfectly
 legal to duplicate (even exactly) anything that is protected by a patent.
 The restriction is that you SHOULD not then sell the device.
    If you duplicate a patented device and do so without a license, you
 still won't be violating any laws. IF the patent owner discovers an
 infringment and IF he decides to take you to court, then you will probably
 have to pay the guy/gal some rolalities.
    Duplicating something that is protected under patent is fine if the
 device is built for personal use, i.e. not made for profit.

    Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, politicain, or other form of deviate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Vickers 408/991-5370 (Sunnyvale,Ca); {mips|pyramid|philabs}!prls!gordon
Every extinction, whether animal, mineral, or vegetable, hastens our own demise.