# Is the Algorand consensus protocol protected IP?

**URL:** <https://forum.algorand.co/t/is-the-algorand-consensus-protocol-protected-ip/9699>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [May 30, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/is-the-algorand-consensus-protocol-protected-ip/9699 "2023-05-30T16:43:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ALGORAND1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@ALGORAND1](https://forum.algorand.co/u/ALGORAND1)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/is-the-algorand-consensus-protocol-protected-ip/9699/1 "2023-05-30T16:43:42Z")

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Algorand’s consensus protocol is its secret sauce. Is this secret sauce protected intellectual property? Or are network effects the “only” thing protecting the Algorand blockchain from copycat blockchains using the same consensus protocol?

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**Author:** ![fabrice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@fabrice](https://forum.algorand.co/u/fabrice)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/is-the-algorand-consensus-protocol-protected-ip/9699/2 "2023-05-30T18:07:02Z")

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Welcome to Algorand!

The code of the Algorand blockchain is open source:

> **[GitHub - algorand/go-algorand: Algorand's official implementation in Go.](https://github.com/algorand/go-algorand)**
>
> Algorand's official implementation in Go. . Contribute to algorand/go-algorand development by creating an account on GitHub.

The detailed specs describing the consensus are also public:

> **[GitHub - algorandfoundation/specs: Algorand Specifications](https://github.com/algorandfoundation/specs)**
>
> Algorand Specifications. Contribute to algorandfoundation/specs development by creating an account on GitHub.

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**Author:** ![omniwarp](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.algorand.co/omniwarp/32/2237_2.png) [@omniwarp](https://forum.algorand.co/u/omniwarp)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 6:47pm UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/is-the-algorand-consensus-protocol-protected-ip/9699/3 "2023-05-31T18:47:02Z")

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I don’t think the OP is asking if the project is open source. They want to know if someone can legally copy and use Algorand’s PPoS.

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**Author:** ![fabrice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@fabrice](https://forum.algorand.co/u/fabrice)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.algorand.co/t/is-the-algorand-consensus-protocol-protected-ip/9699/4 "2023-05-31T19:00:26Z")

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Indeed, please see this answer [Open Source or Patented? - #2 by Tyler](https://forum.algorand.co/t/open-source-or-patented/872/2)  
which points to [go-algorand/COPYING\_FAQ at master · algorand/go-algorand · GitHub](https://github.com/algorand/go-algorand/blob/master/COPYING_FAQ)