USB ownership?

[alumaline]

I want to modify the USB micro connector used in phones. (modify the connector size not the electrical connection) Is there anyone I need permission from? Apple will not let anyone make lightning cables without there permission. Is there someone in control of USB connectors? http://www.usb.org/home. ? ?

Thanks in advance.
Mark S.

 

[(*steve*)]

Go ahead. Make your cable.

 

[Gryd3]

Many times the terms of use for a product will not allow you to alter the product. I've broken many such terms, but have accepted that I can no longer get warranty or support for the product.
As far as ownership is concerned. There can be ownership on a copyright for a proprietary connector, which ties your hands if you want to sell such a connector, but you are free to make one for personal use.

If you go further down the rabbit hole, making a USB device requires that you buy an ID for the device. This applies to devices like mice, keyboard, etc.... not cables.

 

[alumaline]

Many times the terms of use for a product will not allow you to alter the product. I've broken many such terms, but have accepted that I can no longer get warranty or support for the product.
As far as ownership is concerned. There can be ownership on a copyright for a proprietary connector, which ties your hands if you want to sell such a connector, but you are free to make one for personal use.

If you go further down the rabbit hole, making a USB device requires that you buy an ID for the device. This applies to devices like mice, keyboard, etc.... not cables.

You said . . .copyright for a proprietary connector, do you mean patent? Copyright is for written matter and drawings. Micro USB connectors most likely have a patent.

 

[davenn]

probably, but you are not going to be making and selling them are you ?
for that you would most likely need a licence to do so

 

[donkey]

ok for starters copyright is not for books, its for intellectual property. so the device itself will be patented but the idea is copyrighted. hence you can't use someone else's idea to make money

secondly when you say modify the USB size but not its layout then you might need to receive rights from whoever designed it.
may I be so bold as to why you want to change the size? its just a weird thing to do when USB connectors come in so many different sizes already.
Apple have that nasty connector that looks like they decided to add more pins. USB itself has 3 (I know someone is going to correct me here) +5, gnd and data. next is current and in all reality if you need more than about 2amps (that's what most chargers are rated) then getting a specialised chord (DC jacks style) might be better.
if its because soldering those little connectors is hard then buy a few hundred from a PCB place, it'll cost a little extra but for prototyping when you can't older that little pin makes it worth while.
if you are adding more wires then USB isn't the best...

this long winded reply is just because I am curious as to the application and reasoning for a new type of plug

below are some pics of already available plugs. these are not to scale. the second top left hand is commonly found on printers and pretty big

 

[Scotophor]

@donkey: That's a good guide to the most common varieties, but with a small flaw; most pairs are shown in mating orientation, but the USB 3.0 Type A Jack at the top right corner, is upside-down relative to its plug.

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

AFAIK and "I am not a lawyer but...", you can do whatever you want as long as you don't try to market an unapproved product that you claim to be a USB product or that carries the USB logo. The name and logo are trademarks (probably a registered trademarks) of the USB consortium (or whatever they're called).

 

[donkey]

@Scotophor I just stole it from google images lol

@KrisBlueNZ I think you are right. as long as you don't say its USB it should be ok. you could possibly say its USB compliant, but not USB registered.

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

If you're selling it, unless it's been formally approved, you shouldn't even IMPLY any compliance with the USB standard, or you risk getting a nasty cease and desist letter. I would explicitly say it's not type-approved. Unless you're a no-name fly-by-night Chinese manufacturer - they seem to get away with it. But I don't think you're planning to sell it anyway.