In 2006, The Flanders' Mechatronics Technology Centre (FMTC) made an implementation of the EtherCAT master protocol (further on this implementation is reffered to as EML). FMTC, copyright holder of EML, intended to release this software as open source software under the GPL or LGPL license. Since the EtherCAT technology is protected by patents, FMTC contacted Beckhoff Automation before releasing the source code as open source software.

Beckhoff was willing to license the EtherCAT technology and trade name free of charge to FMTC, however they were also concerned to keep the "EtherCAT Masters" in the market not being fully compatible any longer with the latest version of EtherCAT specification and technology down to a minimum number. The EtherCAT Master License Agreement is a peer-to-peer license between the user of EML (Licensee) and Beckhoff and assures that the right to use EtherCAT Technology is granted and comes free of charge under condition of compatibility of product made by Licensee.

Recently, FMTC has been informed by Beckhoff that EML users state that the (L)GPL license may not allow the addition of an extra license such as the EtherCAT Master License Agreement. When informed, FMTC immediately removed the EML sources from the public server at http://ethercatmaster.berlios.de and advised current users to verify the situation with Beckhoff before continuing any development based on EML.

Last week Beckhoff and FMTC reached an agreement that allows FMTC to distribute the EML code under any license that is compatible with the EtherCAT Master License Agreement. This makes it possible for FMTC to offer current users of the EML code a new peer-to-peer license that resolves the ambiguity.

Therefore we urge all current users of the EML code that wish such a new license to contact FMTC (ethercatmaster at fmtc dot be) as soon as possible.