[asterisk-biz] Knockoff TDM400 Cards - What's the Deal?

[alex at pilosoft.com]

On Tue, 28 Feb 2006, Rusty Dekema wrote:

> I was wondering what the deal is with the knockoff versions of Digium
> TDM400B cards and 1FXS/1FXO modules that one occasionally sees
> advertised on this list.
I haven't seen any of that. It is usually T100P knockoffs (which are 
GPL'd) or X100P knockoffs (which is really an intel part).

> Do these boards violate Digium's IP rights under US law?* Or did the
> Digium TDM400 boards come from a Zapata/Zaptel or other open-license
> design to begin with? I notice that the cards never seem to be sold by
> US companies, yet they look virtually identical to the Digium
> equipment...
> 
> *I know that no-one here can or will provide "legal advice";  I am
> asking only in a general sense.
It sounds like you know the answer already.