circuit rights violation

[Christian Oncken]

No, the private citizen, doing what he does for the love of it always gets
shafted... money and lawyers make things right.  If you dont have that then
expect to get stomped.

However, there might be a way to fight back.  JH, have you given any thought
to producing kits of your designs, like other people on the list are already
doing, eg Paul, Gene, Tom, Tony, and others?

This would accomplish a number of things.  First of all, it would give the
people who refuse to purchase from doepfer an alternative.  Second, it would
help to publicize your work and get the word out about doepfer's business
methods.  Third, it would provide an easier way for diyers like myself who
want to build your designs, but can't draw or fabricate their own PCBs.
Fourth, it would reduce doepfer's market, hit him where it counts.  And last
but not least, it just may put a little extra cash in your pocket.

Hell, why not reverse engineer all doepfer modules and make redrawn
schematics, PCB drawings, and parts lists available for free on the web?
Most of the patents are expired arent they?  He can do it and get away with
it, why cant we?


This may seem like a sneaky underhanded thing to do, but its not illegal,
and I'm tired of watching the people I respect and admire on this list get
screwed.  All a company has to do is say the word 'lawsuit' and everybody
recoils in shock.

It would be horrible if people stopped contributing, or password protected
their web pages.  This would kill the spirit of DIY.  I would much rather
see the members here fight back by making modules superior to doepfer's in
both design and construction, as well as price, while still keeping all the
things that make synth-diy a great list to be a part of.

And besides, I'd really like to see some of JH's designs in my studio, with
proper knobs and jacks instead of that flimsy doepfer stuff.  I'll have the
satisfaction of knowing it was built with my own two hands, and that I
helped give credit where credit is due.

Hoping this makes sense to someone besides me...

Christian Oncken.
http://www.umr.edu/~oncken/asm-1.html



>> How can we protect our intelectual property against
>> violation/exploitation?
>
>If we want to keep the list useful, then really we can't.
>There will always be those bloodsuckers who prey on others'
>good intentions, all we can effectively do is not deal with
>people like that and spread the word to others.