On Sunday 16 November 2003 10:20, Ilan Finci wrote: > on 11/13/2003 05:07 PM Matan Ziv-Av said the following: > > On Thu, 13 Nov 2003, Ilan Finci wrote: > >>The company I work with is creating executable code we give to > >> potential clients to test. > >> > >>The code comes as either an executable or a shared library (with a > >> given API the client use to connect it to his application). > >> > >>Is there a way to protect such executable/library, so it will be hard > >> to do reverse engineering and find out what the algorithms we use? Of > >> course, we protect ourself with patents, but we would like something > >> in the level of protecting the code itself. > > > > This is off topic, as has already been said, but I must add that if > > the company tries to hide a patented algorithm, the best thing to do > > is to dissolve the company immediately. > > Sorry if you see it off topic, I thought that's this list is also the > extend the use of linux in israel, not only about open source. My > question was intended to find out if there is a way to do something in > linux before my managers force us to switch to windows where they know > about things to do what I've asked about. > > And as to dissolve the company - why? Can we protect _OUR_ algorithms??? > we don't use OTHERS patented algorithms but _OURS_.
The idea that you can own an algorithm is silly. In fact, many states don't allow patenting of algorithms, such as most European nations. Anywas, you don't seem to understand what a patent is. It's a state given limited monopoly on the use of an expression of an idea. The reason it is given is exactly so that you, the inventor, will not feel the need to hide the new idea you invented and will share it with others, but still get royalties so it will be worth your while. This is why in fact, to get a patent you must publish the idea (by registering it with the patent office public records). Therefore, anyone who talks about hiding a patented algorithm, especially an algorithm that is patented by your own company, is simply displaying a complete lack of understanding about what he is talking about. It seems the author of the original reply that talked about dissolving the company (it wasn't me) has a much higher appreciation of technology companies - he seems assume that most of them know what they are talking about. Sadly, I hold much less esteem for these figments of legal imagination having worked most of my adult life for them. And about being childish - there is nothing more childish then a grown boy holding to HIS lollypop and crying loud: "mine! mine!" but thanks for the compliment anyways... :-) Gilad -- Gilad Ben-Yossef <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Codefidence. A name you can trust (tm) http://www.codefidence.com "Half of one of my eyes is already open. I'm going to make coffee now..." -- Kathi 16:08:04 ================================================================= To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
