From jean-jacques_de-jong@hp.com Thu, 11 May 2000 16:09:17 +0200
Date: Thu, 11 May 2000 16:09:17 +0200
From: Jean-Jacques de Jong jean-jacques_de-jong@hp.com
Subject: [Patents] Reverse negineered info

Karel Kulhavy wrote:
> 
> Hello
> 
> If I published on a web reverse-engineered information about how to low-level
> program GeForce video card, would I infringe a patent or commit a crime?
> 

Publishing information cannot infringe a patent. 

You'd be doing something illegal by publishing this information if you
were bound by a non disclosure agreement with Nvidia... But this is
apparently not the case, so go ahead!

Of course, Nvidia might not be happy if they want to keep this secret,
but reverse engineering an interface is perfectly legal, at least in
Europe.

JJJ




