[sdiy] OT: Behringer fined $1M

[Paul Maddox]

Hi,

> So the Behringer gear did not violate the FCC regulations except by not
> being tested?

it is illegal in the US to sell products without an FCC certificate.
The same applies in Europe with CE approval.

> Of course digital devices should not interfere with police radio etc,
> but if the device is doesn't, why the $1,000,000? It's madness! No
> wonder people hate lawyers.

Given that this is a backdatedc fine from 4 years ago, and behringer have 
continued to sell stuff in US for this time, I somehow doubt that $1million 
will cause them any real 'pain'..

> BTW, it seems that any device with switching frequencies above 9kHz are
> "class B digital device" and thus under the FCC directive? I guess some
> VCO fall under this category as well, then.

in europe *ALL* products (including cudley toys) must have CE approval 
before being able to be sold.
I've been told that many people don't bother testing for FCC, because the 
regulations are less rigid than CE approval, and they say "if you have CE 
approval, FCC is just a matter of filling in a form".

Paul