[Xastir] Radio frequency question from a simpleton

[Curt, WE7U]

On Thu, 19 Jul 2007, James Ewen wrote:

> Does Xastir get around the license for reception because the software
> is not for sale, or did someone purchase a license? I would guess that
> if Xastir purchased a license somewhere along the way, that it would
> probably go against the GPL license...

Bob granted us a license.


> Uh-oh... sounds like the lid just popped off a can of worms.

Not really.  I've seen this sort of discussion again and again.  My
take on it is that you can't protect the protocol.  He can certainly
protect his trademark and his software.

That said, there's no reason not to approach him and ask him what's
up with the possible fees.  There may be none or they may be low
enough that it's a don't care.  Or:  They may be high and then legal
advice might be necessary to figure out what's possible.

I've always heard that you can't protect a protocol, but IANAL.

--
Curt, WE7U.   APRS Client Comparisons: http://www.eskimo.com/~archer
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