Embedded software projects under GPL

[Wim De Smet]

On Mon, 5 Jul 2004 11:07:03 +0200 (CEST)
"Andreas" <lists at myratz.de> wrote:
> Simo Sorce wrote:
> 
> >> Is it possible to put the hardware
> >> design (e.g. schematics) under GPL as well?
> >
> > Afaik circuits layouts have specific protection.
> > It's called "patent" but it is much like copyright.
> 
> This applies for the chip design and propably for the
> reference implementation of the manufacturer of the
> microprocessor.
> 
> This applies _not_ for the circuit design outside on top
> of the reference design. For a microcontroller based
> application not only the microcontroller is needed, but
> parts and componentes specific to the application as well.
> 

I don't know about the rest of the EU but I do know that Belgium has a sui generis law for microchip designs that protects the specific topology of the design (eg, the physical implementation). At least I thought it was sui generis, might just be part of copyright law though.

greets,
Wim
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 189 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.fsfe.org/pipermail/discussion/attachments/20040705/3c68364f/attachment.sig>