[aprssig] Re: Kenwood Status - Thinking about TH-D7AG purchase

[Scott Miller]

Technically they could implement the algorithm (or something very 
similar) and just call it something different, since the trademark only 
covers the name.  A utility patent would cover the algorithm itself - 
just like the APRS trademark covers the name (and the dosaprs software 
and protocol spec document are protected by copyright) but not the system.

I chose to use the SmartBeaconing mark with my products to give credit 
to the creators, and because there's value in letting the users know 
that it's the same thing as in other products.  Kenwood might not make 
the same decision.

Scott
N1VG

Steve Bragg wrote:
> Everyone please listen.
> I beg to differ with Mr. Bruninga.  Kenwood TM-D710 DOES NOT (I REPEAT) 
> DOES NOT sell SmartBeaconing(tm) in the D710.
> HamHUD Nichetronix, LLC (my company) OWNS SmartBeaconing(tm), and I 
> alone license it.  It is the most popular mobile tracker position 
> beaconing algorithm to implementers, but so far, no large ham radio 
> manufacturer has it in their radios.   And by the way, the algorithm is 
> not, contrary to popular opinion, owned by the makers of either TinyTrak 
> or OpenTracker.  It began with HamHUd II, which is still the reference 
> standard implementation  for SmartBeaconing(tm).
> 
> Kenwood is NOT currently producing or selling ANY products that include 
> SmartBeaconing(tm).  If and when they do, you will see the announcement 
> FIRST on the HamHUD website, www.hamhud.net.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Steve Bragg KA9MVA
> -- 
> 
> Bob WB4APR wrote...
> 
>> L) The D710 has Smart beaconing...
> 
> 
>> Assuming you mean SmartBeaconing, that is good news. I must have
>> missed the announcement about it. When was it added? I don't think
>> I've seen such a comprehensive list of features before. I'll bet that it
>> convinces more than a few people that were thinking of the D710 to
>> make the plunge.
>