[Gdal-dev] BSB format and legal issues

Frank Warmerdam warmerdam at pobox.com
Fri Oct 5 19:43:19 EDT 2007


Christopher Barker wrote:
>> """
> The BSB file format is the sole property of Maptech, Inc. and as such is
> protected by U.S. and International foreign copyright and patent laws.
> 
> "BSB File Format” is a trademark of Maptech, Inc.
> """
> 
> I don't know what that means exactly.

Christopher,

I believe BSB read support is *enabled* by default, but can be turned
off fairly easily.  But write support is #ifdef'ed out or something since
it is more questionable whether we can write BSB files without infringing
a BSB compression patent.

I don't recognise a file format as something that can be copyrighted.
Code can be copyrighted.  A document describing a format can be copyrighted.
But I don't believe the format itself can.  So Maptech is (IMHO) left
asserting trademark on "BSB File Format", a patent that covers the compression
scheme used to write BSBs (but does not restrict reading), and possibly they
have a DMCA case protecting ecrypted BSB files.

That leaves me reading unencrypted BSB files when I can reverse engineer
the format adequately without signing any "paper" with Maptech, or using
any of their private documents.

Note, I am not a lawyer, and the above should not be construed as qualified
legal advice.  I'm giving my uneducated take on the documents and claims I've
seen.

Best regards,
-- 
---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam at pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush    | President OSGeo, http://osgeo.org




More information about the Gdal-dev mailing list