Is the Algorand consensus protocol protected IP?

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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Welcome to Algorand!

The code of the Algorand blockchain is open source:

The detailed specs describing the consensus are also public:

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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.

Indeed, please see this answer Open Source or Patented? - #2 by Tyler
which points to go-algorand/COPYING_FAQ at master · algorand/go-algorand · GitHub

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