What is the definition of proprietary protocols?

Proprietary protocols are defined as protocols that are developed by specific organizations or companies that have exclusive control over their design, implementation, and operation. This means that these organizations can set the standards and rules for how the protocols function, and they typically keep their specifications confidential. As a result, only those who are licensed or authorized by the organization can use, implement, or modify the protocol.

In contrast, public domain protocols are open for anyone to use, while open protocols allow for public contributions and are collaboratively developed with input from various stakeholders. The reference to academic environments is incorrect, as proprietary protocols can be used in any industry, not just academics. Proprietary protocols play a significant role in ensuring company-specific solutions and products work seamlessly within their own ecosystems but may restrict interoperability with other systems that do not use the same proprietary standards.