LegalNotes » History » Version 18
laforge, 03/06/2016 04:57 AM
formatting changes
1 | 13 | laforge | h1. Legal Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2 | 1 | laforge | |
3 | 17 | laforge | h2. Licensed Spectrum |
4 | 1 | laforge | |
5 | |||
6 | 17 | laforge | GSM, TETRA and other systems operate in *licensed frequency spectrum*, i.e. the license to operate equipment on those bands is granted (typically sold/auctioned) to commercial entities. |
7 | 12 | laforge | |
8 | 15 | laforge | This is _very different_ from technologies like Bluetooth or WiFi operating in the 2.4GHz unlicensed ISM band. |
9 | 12 | laforge | |
10 | 18 | laforge | As a result, you cannot operate any GSM RF equipment (like the [[openbsc:BS11|BS-11]] or any other BTS) unless you have obtained a proper license from the regulatory authority in your country. Accomplishing to operate a BTS without having such a license is subject to punishment according to the respective laws in your country. |
11 | 12 | laforge | |
12 | 18 | laforge | Apart from the legal aspects, there also are practical aspects. If you operate on a channel (ARFCN) that is already used by a GSM operator, you will likely create interference with the production network. *Please don't do this!* It is illegal and disruptive, and not related to what this project is trying to achieve. |
13 | 1 | laforge | |
14 | Interfering with a public telecommunications network, intentionally or unintentionally, is a crime in most countries and punishable under applicable law! |
||
15 | |||
16 | 17 | laforge | h3. Regulatory authorities for spectrum licensing |
17 | 12 | laforge | |
18 | * Austria http://www.rtr.at |
||
19 | 16 | laforge | * Belgium http://ibpt.be/ For testing, the authorization category 1b and 6 are relevant. The GSM900 band is fully licensed to commercial operators, so only ARFCN in the 1800 band will be allocated. |
20 | 7 | laforge | * Germany: http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/ |
21 | 1 | laforge | * Netherlands: http://www.agentschap-telecom.nl/ |
22 | * Sweden: http://www.pts.se/en-gb/ |
||
23 | * Switzerland: http://www.bakom.admin.ch/ |
||
24 | * United Kingdom: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/ |
||
25 | |||
26 | h2. GSM Related Patents |
||
27 | |||
28 | Osmocom software is Open Source software for research purpose, not a product that is used commercially. The development is done by volunteers who want to learn more about GSM and who want to encourage others to experiment with it. |
||
29 | |||
30 | As such, Osmocom software does not come with patent licenses of any sort. It is well known that mobile telephony and GSM specifically is a patent minefield. Some of those patents relating to voice codecs and the Um air interface are already licensed by the BTS manufacturer. Other patents might apply directly to what [[OpenBSC:]] or other Osmocom projects are doing. |
||
31 | |||
32 | If you are using Osmocom software in a commercial setting, it is your responsibility to properly license all applicable patents from their respective holders. The ETSI maintains a list of _essential patents_ that apply to GSM. |
||
33 | 16 | laforge | |
34 | h2. Interception |
||
35 | 1 | laforge | |
36 | 16 | laforge | The software and information published on this website is *only to be used within the scope of applicable local rules and regulations*. |
37 | 1 | laforge | |
38 | 16 | laforge | For example: In Germany the unauthorized interception of radio transmissions is a felony under law! |
39 | |||
40 | 18 | laforge | Please observe laws and regulations. Under no circumstances are the authors of the software responsible for illegal use. |
41 | 16 | laforge | |
42 | 18 | laforge | The point of our research is not to increase the illicit eaves-dropping on professional mobile radio, but to outline the security weaknesses, and to enable everyone to confirm our findings. |