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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Electronic Schematics/Circuit Diagrams
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Posted by M. Arthur Auslander on April 10, 2001 at 04:50:44:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Electronic Schematics/Circuit Diagrams posted by valter on April 10, 2001 at 01:27:14:
: : : : : Hi, : : : : : Hope someone can help me. I need to know the law on published electronic schematic diagrams. In this instance the item is a novelty electronic device - the basic concepts behind the design have been well known for nearly 50 years, and it's not subject to a patent of any sort. Really, what I need to know is this: If a circuit diagram has been published with a copyright notification and someone then wanted to adapt it for their own purposes, how different to the original published design would their adaptation have to be to ensure that they were not in breach of the original copyright? Please would anyone email me with the answer to this. Is there an international agreement on this? Are there any web resources which could explain it? : : : : : Thanks, : : : : : Chris : : : : : Christopher.tinsley@virgin.net : : : : The copyright only protects the mode of expression, not the idea embodied in it. Unless there is a patent involved you are free to make as much use of the circuit as you want. Since the concept is 50 years old, even if there was a patent on the circuit, any patent rights should have expired if there are any. There is a rare case of a possible "submarine" patent being out there. My recollection is that none of them have been unissued for more than 40 years. The law now provides that patents are now good for 20 years from the date of filing. : : : : While the copyright protects from copying. Were you to redraw the circuit without "photo reproducing" it there would likely be no copyrigth infringement. : : : : M. Arthur Auslander : : : : ELAINE's Workshop: Early Legal Advice Is Not Expensive (sm) : : : : Auslander & Thomas-Intellectual Property Law Since 1909 : : : : 505 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 : : : : 212-594-6900, fax 212-244-0028, : : Call me. My wires have been off and on for a day or so. The telphone company is having trouble and I'm suffering. : : M. Arthur Auslander : : ELAINE's Workshop (sm) : : E arly L egal A dvice I s N ot E xpensive : : Auslander & Thomas-Intellectual Property Law Since 1909 : : 505 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 : : 212-594-6900, fax 212-244-0028, aus@auslander.com Dear Valter,
What can we do for you? M. Arthur Auslander Auslander & Thomas-Intellectual Property Law Since 1909 505 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 212-594-6900, fax 212-244-0028, aus@auslander.com ELAINE's Workshop (sm) E arly L egal A dvice I s N ot E xpensive
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