[gomox]

Very interesting. I always assumed that the SP500 index composition was some sort of loss leader for SP where the brand awareness created by the SP500 name served as proof of legitimacy for some other service.

Never thought the index composition could be a cash cow in itself. Im intrigued at how the IP is protected, in legal terms (i.e. what exactly is copyrighted or patented or trademarked or trade secrets), if you are able to comment on that aspect?

[turc1656]

I think my other comment to someone else in this thread addresses most of what you are asking: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18572584

Anything deeper would require an actual lawyer to weigh in.