Now you put one question on my mind. If code from that IP core is similar to the code of the Open Miner then all the guy are gettin in troubles because of industrial design is registered and nobody can use without permisson. I doubt both become similar but they gonna try to stop the project. Am i wrong?
Unless there are patents, it's not an issue. Independent creation is a complete defense to an accusation of copyright infringement. If two composers independently write precisely the same song, note for note, they are both fully entitled to copyright for their individual creative efforts."I never had access to the copyrighted work" is a defense to a claim of infringement. It's a reason video game manufacturers no longer try to register a video of someone playing their game as an attempt to create a copyright on the "game experience". (Since an alleged infringer won't have ever seen that video, how could it help?)
If you say it is more prone to patent litigation on the next months is probably someone send a Cease and Desist letter. I was thinking who gonna test if is possible to patent all the desings put around the forum.
Edit: here is a discussion about what I was saying http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/3519/can-ecc-be-used-without-infringing-on-patents
Probably is not a problem but surely it helps to check any dark problem
