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Thanks for the input! When you say "won't be cheap", do you have an estimated figure of about how much it might cost? Granted, you don't know exactly what i'm going to be designing...but if I think it's worth it, I might just try to find an attorney.
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This will put you off the patent system
http://www.tinaja.com/patnt01.shtml. Unless you have deep pockets to defend your patent then you may think twice about going down that path.
If you have a good idea that can be encapsulated into some software and hardware your best insurance is to make sure your IP can't be copied and get your product out to market as quickly as possible because no copy protection is full proof. Automotive companies are renown for paying virtually nothing for the components they use so economies of scale apply here.
EPLD's are great for copy protection but unfortunately some of the older devices have been compromised and can be copied if you are willing to pay someone to do it.
regards
Honored Contributor
