[sdiy] using off the shelf pcbs in a commercial project

[Jason Proctor]

there's a difference between selling one synth built from 
commercially available PCBs, and effectively making a business out of 
selling built modules.

as someone else pointed out, in the first case you're largely 
charging for your time, which is fair enough, and which has the 
byproduct of more PCB sales for the original vendor. but in the 
second you're presumably making a profit to live off, which is a 
different kettle of fish and probably requires a formal agreement 
similar to CGS & Elby etc.

the situation under discussion probably fits into the first case, 
IMHO of course.



>Two-pence---
>
>If you're making use of pre-made PCBs then all you're charging for 
>is your time to construct them - perfectly legit.
>I'd say especially not to worry if this is just a one off.
>Of course, if you then posted pictures/details around the place 
>saying that it was all your own work then that would be a nasty fib!
>But, also, it never hurts to ask the makers of the pcbs.
>
>I'd also say, while trying not to piss on your project, that this 
>sounds like quite a big first ((semi-)commercial) project!
>
>Remember to think MODULAR - even if the end is going to be pre-patched.
>One great thing about the modular approach (just as in software 
>development) is that you have distinct building blocks which can 
>each be tested and confirmed before putting them all together.
>If you try to make it all at once then you're (probably) lining 
>yourself up for headaches!
>
>Good luck!
>Tom