Re: question about copyrights and "open" standards.

[Lou Quillio <public -at- quillio -dot- com>]

Matthew Kaster wrote:
> The board is based on a form factor that (I've been
> told) is an "Open" standard.

Hi Matthew,

What is that form factor, already?  We might be over-thinking.

Here's the most common desktop mobo these days:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX

Here are the rest:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard

These configurations tend to have non-proprietary births.  Somebody
(like Intel or VIA) proposes a new standard configuration because it
would better accommodate their components.  They don't plan to make
mobos, rather their lives would be easier and they'd sell more
product if more mobos were "designed like this".

Think of it another way.  Mobos are at the bottom of the food chain.
 They don't wag anything.  They're commoditized.  Leaving aside
laptops, here's what *doesn't* happen: (1) innovative mobo maker
proposes new proprietary standard; (2) CPU, peripherals, and cabling
makers all clamber and re-tool to accommodate the exciting new mobo,
forsaking others.  Doesn't happen.

I don't think it'll take a team of lawyers -- or even one -- to
learn how _your_ form factor came to be, and establish that nobody's
paying royalties.

Doesn't mean your guy isn't ripping-off somebody's tech in another
area, but you simply don't need anybody's permission to manufacture
mobos to, say, the ATX spec.  If you did, that would actually be
*bad* for the makers of the higher-margin components used with them
-- and they don't want that.

You know, these things are made in Asia for real cheap.  If your guy
is North American ... don't buy any stock.

Another thing:  if you write your mobo docs in some sort of
intellectual-property clean room you'll be the only one who does.

Hey, you know what?  Forget what I said.  In fact, I own the spec to
those mobos you're making.  But I'm reasonable.  How 'bout a buck a
board for my end?  Get back with me.

LQ
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