nanog mailing list archives
Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design
From: Jack Bates <jbates () paradoxnetworks net>
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2015 09:53:46 -0600
On 2/15/2015 8:57 AM, William Herrin wrote:
I also believe it is important to note that only certain pieces retain protection. Uniquely entered data forms the basis, which protects the whole. Retaining a full copy of the config or even portions of the config which contain unique data would be a violation. This not only applies to IP Addresses entered, but also applies to routing policies. As you exceed the basics of a policy(qualified as trivial, anyone would draw that single circle with a compass), you enter into the realm of artistry. It is not that another config cannot do something similar, it just can't do it word for word. Changing the identifiers in the policies is probably not enough if you have a 50+ line policy that doesn't have prior art.On Sun, Feb 15, 2015 at 12:49 AM, Owen DeLong <owen () delong com> wrote:This assumes that Copyright is the only IP protection out there. There are actually two distinct realms of IP protection afforded in the US.Actually, there are four: copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret. A network configuration could fall under either copyright or trade secret. It won't fall under trademark and it's hard to imagine how a network configuration of a general shape anticipated by the router manufacturer could fall under patent. Not with the double-whammy of prior art and the recent rulings to the effect that adding "on a computer" to a technique is insufficient to make it patentable.
Most engineers know when they've crossed the line from trivial/mundane into creative. It tends to be linked to our pride.
One thing to be careful of and definitely to seek a lawyer's advice on is the "transference of IP". This is because it can be retroactive. If you've created a set of policies that you use normally with clients that do not retain IP, then a transference of IP could take your rights away. You lose the prior art because you were the artist and you've given your rights to that art to someone else (which is one reason some companies want IP; legal protection). One way around this, most likely, is to establish your art as public domain (allowing you continued use of the foundation work, while losing the more specific details associated with that one project). By doing so, you may be able to protect the art itself. A lawyer would know best, of course.
Jack
Current thread:
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design, (continued)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Valdis . Kletnieks (Feb 13)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design William Herrin (Feb 13)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Valdis . Kletnieks (Feb 13)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Rafael Possamai (Feb 13)
- RE: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Ahad Aboss (Feb 13)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Skeeve Stevens (Feb 14)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Valdis . Kletnieks (Feb 14)
- Message not available
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design William Herrin (Feb 14)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Owen DeLong (Feb 14)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design William Herrin (Feb 15)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Jack Bates (Feb 15)
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Valdis . Kletnieks (Feb 15)
- Message not available
- Re: [OT] Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Larry Sheldon (Feb 15)
- Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Skeeve Stevens (Feb 12)
- Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Randy Bush (Feb 12)
- Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Michael Butler (Feb 12)
- Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Mark Tinka (Feb 12)
- Re: Intellectual Property in Network Design Randy Bush (Feb 12)