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IPMess

8 karma · joined March 16, 2025

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IPMess··on Ask HN: How do I deal with a cease and desist notice for my open HW project?
Yeah, I hate letting the bullies win as well.

> The best recommendation is to talk to a lawyer. None of us can possibly have a clue what the best move is without knowing all the details, so tell those details to someone who is qualified to give you actual legal advice.

Fair enough. I understand the internet can't substitute professional legal advice, but even the lawyers I talked with advised against hiring them since I'm not making any money yet. They're not wrong considering their fees. So what is the average hobbyist/small business supposed to do?

IPMess··on Ask HN: How do I deal with a cease and desist notice for my open HW project?
They were not specific in the letter. It's not clear to me what counts as infringement. Some of the claims are so obvious, like "cloud connected", it makes me wonder what that the point of the patent system is other than to grant monopolies to those with money.

There are earlier patents that look similar to me, but I have no idea what would convince a judge. The lawyer I talked with said they could provide their best legal advice (for lots of money), but that doesn't guarantee I won't get sued and have to defend myself (again lots of money).

IPMess··on Ask HN: How do I deal with a cease and desist notice for my open HW project?
Thanks. I've considered the EFF, but their criteria for taking on cases prioritizes cases that have a broad impact on the internet and privacy. I guess emailing them couldn't hurt. Maybe I could consider getting investments to fund the legal costs.