Patents? What are those?

[Sean Costello]

tomg wrote:

> Which brings me to my dilemma. A couple of months ago Moog
> (Big Briar) released a ring modulator and a filter foot pedal.
> These have a very cool mini moog look with wooden sides and
> color rocker switches.
> 
> I have built, modified and posted many Moog designs under
> the assumption the patents had expired. I now have doubts.
> Maybe it's just paranoia caused by all this talk, but I
> have asked Dr. Moog to look over my pages and will remove
> anything he objects to.

The Moog ladder filter patent expired in 1986 or so.  Make all the
ladder filters you want.  Plenty of synths have used the Moog ladder
filter design both before and after the patent expired:

ARP 2500
grey-faced 2600
ARP Axxe
black-n-gold Odyssey
ARP Pro Soloist
Oberheim OB-MX
Waldorf Pulse
Doepfer modular

I doubt that any of them asked permission.  Also, plenty of people used
diodes instead of transistors, as a sneaky way of getting around the
patent (EMS, Roland System 100/SH-5/TB-303, Korg MS-50).  Either ethics
aren't important in the synth industry, or this sort of thing isn't that
big a deal.  It seems that Moog isn't that territorial about his expired
patents.  He is a bit more territorial about his name nowadays, which is
a good thing.

As far as your pages, you are not just scanning in old Moog service
manuals (unlike some of us - how do you type a sheepish smiley face?).
You have used a lot of Moog ideas as a basis for your own work.  The
final circuit ideas are yours, as well as all of the drawings. I would
think that your work would cause no offense.  If you really want to be
scrupulous, put copious references on all of your pages, as to any
patents, service manuals, articles, etc. you might have consulted during
the design phase of your circuit.  

BTW, I have a lowpass filter Moogerfooger on order.  I just couldn't
resist.  I really do feel good knowing that the money is going to "Uncle
Bob."  Plus they look so dang cool. 

Sean Costello (who is hoping that there will be a barberpole phaser
Moogerfooger, and is making progress on the Csound barberpole phaser. I
want to get it working in the digital realm, but I would really like a
nice analog box that does the same thing.  Preferably with wooden sides
and rocker switches.)