Porsche diagnostic cable (DURAMETRIC Clone?)

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by san rensho

I'm no so judgmental about knock offs. durametric hacked the Porsche computer to make its product, the chinese hack Durametric. Whats the difference? Thieves stealing from thieves doesn't bother me too much.

Not quite. Durametric analyzed the Porsche diagnostics system use by the DME and developed their own software that can read and address many, but not all critical functions. This is exactly what everyone from Snap-On to Actron does when developing a diagnostic tool, and is not protected under intellectual property rights laws.

If they had simply "hacked" the PIWIS code, they should have been able to mimic everything it does, which would have promptly been addressed by Porsche's legal department as the PIWIS system is copyrighted, and therefore the intellectual property of Porsche. But as Durametric developed their own software independently, Porsche cannot touch them.

Knockoffs, on the other hand, as simply clone copies of someone else's property. The Chinese have been able to replicate the old style simpler cable Durametric used on earlier software versions, essentially stealing their design. but because they have been unable to replicate the later cable's features and encryption tools (yet), the ripped off cables cannot use the later and more competent software Durametric puts out now. Durametric cannot stop the rip off artists because they have no physical presence (read assets) in the US and ship their goods from a country renown for ignoring everyone else's property rights.

So this is thieves stealing from a legitimate diagnostics software firm, not another thief.