Abstract: Network coding is a significant break-through in the field of network communications.It transformes the store-and-forward mode of traditional network and combines the information processing technologies of routing and coding,bringing in a great progress of network transmission efficiency.In the procedure of technology research and application,the intervene of network reverse engineering leads to a common attention and discussion of the intellectual property issue across the field of IT and law,especially for the topic of Fair Use.This article first studied the technical features of network coding,and then made an analysis of the legitimacy of network reverse engineering towards network coding upon the theory of Fair Use and network coding,coming up with proper principles.

Key words: Network coding,Reverse engineering,Fair use,Intellectual property protection