Open letter

[tomg]

> Remember the Pablo Picasso quote: "Good artists copy, great artists
> steal".  Of course he stole that very line from Igor Stravinski.  (Or
> something like that, I get the attributions confused.)

Ohhh so that's where Steve Jobs got it...;-)

> Unless you have gone to the trouble of patenting your designs, anybody
> can go into production with them.  'Twas ever thus.  Similiarly a
> number of the designs that you have posted were copied wholly or
> partially from others without their permission.

That would make them thieving lowlife bastards wouldn't it?

That's not true Don. I have asked for permission from everyone I 
could contact. Bob Moog, John Blacet and John Simonton to name
some. If you know who to contact for arp and ems I'll be glad to try
and call. I guess I should actually call Korg hadn't though about
that one.

> So what if someone someone goes into production with one of your
> designs, my designs, JH's scanner, Uncle Bob's filter, or whatever?
> Will they make any money on it?  Should they share the money with you?
> What if they lose money, or the product explodes and hurts people?
> Should you be held responsible then?  

Here's the deal...Ok ready for this...There is no money to be made on
SDIY. You can lose some if you want...maybe break even if you are
lucky but you can't make any...well maybe Gene has made some
on his asm-1 but I bet it took a long time.

These are my designs in the sense that I have taken them on, managed
to get them working and am now supporting them. Some are actually
right out of my head....believe it or not.

Who do you want to buy a board from, the person who designed it,
understands it and can support it or thieving lowlife bastards?

-tg