LattisNet was a family of computer networking hardware and software products built and sold by SynOptics Communications (also rebranded by Western Digital)[citation needed] during the 1980s.
[2] In January 1987 SynOptics announced intentions to manufacture equipment supporting 10 megabits/sec data transfer rates over unshielded twisted pair, telephone wire.
[3] In August 1987 New York based LAN Systems, Inc. completed the equipment testing and praised SynOptics for successfully deploying a 10 Mbit/s network that supported workstations up to 330 feet from the wiring closet, because of their careful control of EMI and RFI.
So SynOptics had sort of a dilemma: If we retain the patent rights and defend our exclusivity, we basically have to give up the idea of becoming the industry standard.
On the other hand, if we want to have our technology and architecture adopted as the industry standard, we basically have to throw our patent on the pile and offer a free license to anyone.