Exact definitions of rip-off? (was: commercial rip...)

[Grant Richter]

> 
> This whole issue has got me concerned about where the line lies between
> blatant design theft and getting an idea from somewhere.  From the
> posts, it looks like Doepher ripped off one of Tomg's designs.  Do I
> have this correct?  I assume he/they took the schematic and copied it
> directly... or did they even use the pcb layout too? (especially weak) 
> My pre-appologies for naming names here but I'm just trying to get it
> straight.  Are there other companies recently that have directly taken
> designs from DIYers?  I say name 'em in public.
> 
Does anyone have any direct evidence that Dieter copied the design
directly and did not just design a new module with the same functions?
The Varilogic II module could look like a tomg or JH design if you just
saw the front panel, but the circuitry is new.

> I spent a few moments looking through some of the schematics/designs
> I've collected over the years on this list and 90% of those designs
> (some *may* be being "sold" by list members) are based on some other
> design previously.

The academic journals solve this problem by citing references. Bernie
Hutchins was painfully scrupulous to cite all the contributing ideas
for his original designs. I tried to do the same for the Varilogic II page,
since it IS derivative. Simply changing resistor values doesn't really
count as new work, but changing a single node connection, if it
results in improved performance, can be considered original work.

Why don't we do the same thing? Just cite those people or sources
that inspired you (if you can remember) and everybody can get the credit.