[time-nuts] WWVB Format Ownership

Peter Gottlieb nerd at verizon.net
Fri Sep 28 02:15:56 UTC 2012


Not quite sure about the analog to health care, but certainly a transmission 
being public domain doesn't mean much if the only possible way to use it is 
proprietary.  Sounds like something Microsoft would strive for.



On 9/27/2012 9:57 PM, WB6BNQ wrote:
> The transmitted format on WWVB (and for that matter on the WWV HF
> stations) is owned by the government and thus the "PEOPLE."
>
> As stated to me, John Lowe (WWVB Broadcast Manager) claims he is the
> person who has designed and is implementing this new broadcast format.
> Because he is a paid employee of the government (i.e., us PEOPLE) his
> new protocol is thus, presumably, unencumbered and free to use by
> anyone.
>
> What I find interesting is how a functional system is completely shit
> canned in favor of a new and yet proven process; particularly seeing as
> how no means of utilizing said new (and still being tweaked) modulation
> existed at the beginning of the design process.  Obviously, the process
> was driven by external forces for the total benefit of those external
> forces.  In other words, the benefit was not for "we the people" per se
> even though that is the stated reason.
>
> Conceptually, what Xtendwave seems to be doing is designing a "detection
> & demodulation" process that they feel is unique and thus eligible for a
> patent.  If that is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, then more
> power to them.
>
> However, if they are attempting to construct their patent verbiage to
> exclude others from creating or using any other means and thus having
> sole use of the WWVB format, then one should question the propriety of
> the whole process including the WWVB staff.
>
> If the previous paragraph is the aim, then it is a parallel to a certain
> medical program where non participation is met with a hefty penalty.
> Here the hefty penalty would be having to buy the Xtendwave receiving
> apparatus in order to use said modulation process.
>
> Xtendwave would be hard pressed to go after all the "John Doe" hobbyists
> from both a monetary and political point of view.  In the commercial
> market that would be a different case.
>
> Someone on the list posed the question of a "Public" comment period.
> YES, that would have been nice.  BUT, such an action would have been
> disastrous for the project, if it really made a difference, because
> those who would bother to respond would likely be negative to the
> concept.  That certainly wouldn't do, so instead it is done in quasi
> secret and sprung on the unsuspecting as a done deal.  Clearly, DO IT
> and ask for forgiveness afterwards.
>
> So much for government transparency !
>
> Bill....WB6BNQ
>
>
>
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