[sdiy] cloning, copying, copyrights

[Matthias.Herrmann at jeppesen.com]

good reading.

thank you very much, tony.

how could i verify the existence of a certain circuits patent, i.e. Moog 
Ladder VCF ;-) ?

BTW i always thought i should consider not only the legal aspects, but the 
moral as well (which would be a very personal point of view).

cheers,
matthias
___
www.modular.fonik.de



synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl wrote on 07/29/2008 09:37:25 AM:
>  > How can you make a clone of something that is copyrighted (I assume)?
> 
> Case design, PCB artwork and original schematics can be copyrighted. The 

> actual circuit cannot. Relay it or redraw it is usually enough.
> 
> Copyright exists to protect the art not the technology.
> 
> Technology, and therefore circuits, can be patented, but patents last 
> only so many years. Most of the analogue synth patents have now expired.
> 
> Trademarks are a different matter. These last while the company exists 
> and these are quite often forcibly controlled. So while you can make a 
> Smith TB-303, you should expect a call from Roland's legal division very 

> shortly after you announce it. This includes virtual software imitations 

> which have no similarity circuitry wise, but share a similar 'look'.
> 
> Having said that, there appears to be a code of conduct among smaller 
> manufacturers not to tread on each others toes too much. It only goes so 

> far, but the market is small enough without cannibalism.
> 
> Tony
> 
> www.oakleysound.com
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