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Message
From: John Day<johnday@w...>
Date: Mon Apr 21 22:35:57 CEST 2008
Subject: [oc] patents and logic cores
At 08:37 AM 4/18/2008, Richard Herveille wrote: >For example the I2C code on OpenCores can safely be downloaded and used by >anybody. However if you implement it in a commercial device you have to >contact Philips to discuss licensing fees (for as long as the original >patent is valid).
I think the original patent (of 1987) expired in 2005, I think if you check the NXP website you will find some new rule. This also helps explain why there are now so many more I2C bus devices hitting the market and why I2C is becoming ubiquitous in micros of various types.
John
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