LegalNotes » History » Version 9
laforge, 02/19/2016 10:47 PM
chapter about patents
| 1 | 9 | laforge | == Licensed GSM Spectrun == |
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| 3 | 1 | laforge | GSM operates in '''licensed frequency spectrum''', i.e. the license to operate equipment on the GSM bands is granted (typically sold/auctioned) to commercial entities. |
| 4 | |||
| 5 | 3 | laforge | This is ''very different'' from technologies like Bluetooth or WiFi operating in the 2.4GHz unlicensed ISM band. |
| 6 | 1 | laforge | |
| 7 | 3 | laforge | As a result, you cannot operate any GSM RF equipment (like the [wiki:BS11 BS-11] or any other BTS) unless you have obtained |
| 8 | 5 | laforge | 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. |
| 9 | 1 | laforge | |
| 10 | 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, |
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| 11 | you will likely create interference with the production network. '''Please don't do this!''' It is illegal and disruptive, and not |
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| 12 | related to what this project is trying to achieve. |
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| 14 | 9 | laforge | === Regulatory authorities for GSM licensing === |
| 15 | 1 | laforge | |
| 16 | * Austria http://www.rtr.at |
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| 17 | 4 | laforge | |
| 18 | 8 | tnt | * Belgium http://ibpt.be/ |
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| 20 | 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. |
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| 22 | 7 | laforge | * Germany: http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/ |
| 23 | 4 | laforge | |
| 24 | 7 | laforge | * Netherlands: http://www.agentschap-telecom.nl/ |
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| 26 | 1 | laforge | * Sweden: http://www.pts.se/en-gb/ |
| 27 | 2 | laforge | |
| 28 | 7 | laforge | * Switzerland: http://www.bakom.admin.ch/ |
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| 30 | 1 | laforge | * United Kingdom: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/ |
| 31 | 9 | laforge | |
| 32 | == GSM Related Patents == |
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| 33 | |||
| 34 | OpenBSC 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 |
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| 35 | and who want to encourage others to experiment with it. |
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| 36 | |||
| 37 | As such, OpenBSC 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 |
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| 38 | relating to voice codecs and the Um air interface are already licensed by the BTS manufacturer. Other patents might apply directly to what OpenBSC is doing. |
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| 39 | |||
| 40 | If you are using OpenBSC in a commercial setting, it is your responsibility to properly license all applicable patents from their respective holders. The ETSI maintains |
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| 41 | a list of ''essential patents'' that apply to GSM. |
