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In fact, NoCat DOES have something to say about it. Basically, we don't worry about it because what nomadix patented isn't used by most Captive Portal Technologies... > Rob Flickenger * rob at nocat.net <mailto:rob%20at%20nocat.net> > /Sun, 25 Jan 2004 11:31:12 -0800/ > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > - > > I thought you might find this interesting. Someone brought this to my > attention: > > http://www.nomadix.com/company/pressroom/pressrelease.asp?id=PR01200401 > > I think the critical phrase from the press release is: "This > redirection takes place regardless of the host computer's settings and > without altering the user's browser settings." Check out the full > text of the patent: > > http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser? > Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search- > adv.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=ptxt&S1=6,636,894&OS=6,636,894&RS=6,636,894 > > While they might like to make it sound like they've patented the > captive portal, they've really only patented their wacky arp > implementation. They look for any machine being ARP'd for that > doesn't receive a reply, and issue an ARP reply using the gateway's > MAC address. Combined with some DNS strangeness, this lets the > gateway bring up a splash page even when the client requests a > private intranet page, or even if they are using static IP address > settings rather than DHCP. > > NoCatAuth does none of that. We considered it for a while, but I > don't think it's worth the effort, as it's really easy to confuse > both the client and the gatway. I still think that software > implementation patents are detrimental to innovation, but this one > doesn't seem to pose an immediate threat to our project. > > Still, it is interesting that they've gone and patented it. > > --Rob Dana Spiegel sociableDESIGN :: www.sociableDESIGN.com 123 Bank Street, Suite 510, New York, NY 10014 m +1 917 402 0422 :: f +1 760 454 3690 :: e dana at sociableDESIGN dot com On Jan 27, 2004, at 12:01 PM, Mitch (WebCob) wrote: > The guys at nocat.net would probably know (prior art)... > > wonder how long they have been at it? > > m/ > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: David Cook [mailto:david dot cook at jetpress dot com] >> Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 5:39 AM >> To: m0n0wall at lists dot m0n0 dot ch >> Subject: RE: [m0n0wall] captive portal support - patent problem? >> >> >> Could this be a problem? Article appeared on "The Register" this >> morning >> (http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/59/35138.html). >> >> Press release from Nomadix: >> http://www.nomadix.com/company/pressroom/pressrelease.asp? >> id=PR01200401 >> >> ------------------------------------------ >> >> Nomadix patents Wi-Fi hotspot log-in tech >> >> By Tony Smith >> Posted: 27/01/2004 at 12:16 GMT >> >> Wi-Fi providers who redirect users' web browsers to their own log-in >> page >> may soon have to cough up cash if they want to continue using the >> technique >> - US network access software company Nomadix has patented it. >> >> The patent, number 6,636,894, was granted on 21 October last year, >> but is >> applicable right back to 8 December 1999. It essentially describes >> systems >> that redirects portable-computer users who access a public network to >> the >> host's home page, irrespective of the user's browser settings and >> transparent to the user. The systems cover both wired and >> wireless access. >> >> It also discusses the authentication and authorisation system >> that maintains >> user accounts and interacts with the billing system when network >> access is >> not provided free of charge. >> >> Almost all public Wi-Fi networks - and pretty much every one of them >> that >> charge users for access - operate such a methodology. No wonder >> Nomadix >> describes the technique as "fundamentally essential to the success of >> the >> rapidly growing Wi-Fi market". >> >> Nomadix customers will inherently have a licence to use the >> technique, but >> WISPs who have developed their own redirection code, or have acquired >> it >> from other companies, will need to ensure they have permission to use >> it. >> >> Nomadix will certainly be expecting them to. "Some [companies] copied >> what >> we've done," said Nomadix CTO, co-founder and senior VP, Joel Short, >> according to a Wi-Fi Networking News report. "We stand behind our >> intellectual property and now we're going to encourage those folks who >> provide that method to license the technology from us." ® >> >> ------------------------------------------ >> >> JET PRESS LIMITED >> Nunn Close >> Huthwaite >> Nottinghamshire >> NG17 2HW >> UK >> >> Web: www.jetpress.com >> Tel: +44-1623-551 800 >> Fax: +44-1623-551 175 >> >> >> Confidentiality Notice >> This message and its contents are confidential. The contents are >> solely for the attention of the recipient(s) named above and any >> unauthorised disclosure, copying or distribution is forbidden. >> If you are not the recipient named above, please contact the >> sender immediately and destroy this message. The views expressed >> in this message are those of the sender and not necessarily those >> of JET PRESS LIMITED. >> >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe, e-mail: m0n0wall dash unsubscribe at lists dot m0n0 dot ch >> For additional commands, e-mail: m0n0wall dash help at lists dot m0n0 dot ch >> >> > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: m0n0wall dash unsubscribe at lists dot m0n0 dot ch > For additional commands, e-mail: m0n0wall dash help at lists dot m0n0 dot ch |