"I didn't look at the source code"
I stated that in my instance 'with a lawyer holding my hand' I were not allowed to read even the object code.

Nobody should ever rely on armchair experts for legal advice, and this forum should not be involved in dispensing opinions about the law.
Agreed, and I have no such intent, just trying to discourage some of the "reverse engineers" (how to read and disassemble code, how to copy a circuit etc.) we have seen here.

The issue is very complicated and what I basically read in the white paper Joe gave the link to was that the stringent rules (do not look) apply equally whether "What if the protocol is covered by a patent, DMCA, or other intellectual property law?" or not.

Anyhow, My first post describes my experience, and Joes link gives a lecture, let's leave it at that.

Erik