Open Source Cards Project Meets Objections

An attempt to create an open-source set of public safety protocol cards has run into a legal setback after a commercial company issued an Internet cease-and-desist order that claimed copyright infringement. The cards were developed by the Open ISES Project, which has also developed an open-source CAD software application, and posted on-line just last March. However, last week the group says it received a letter from attorneys representing Medical Priority Consultants, who apparently stated that the open source cards infringed on the company’s copyrights. In response, the Project took down the cards, and issued a statement explaining their actions. “We are hoping that we can work out an agreement with them. However, until such time, we had to take the site and associated files down,” said Robert Austin, who manages the Project. He added that since they don’t charge for any of the open source software, they can’t afford to fight the cease-and-desist order in court. The Project’s homepage is here.