All,
When a magazine provides a PCB design and builder instructions, the assumption under "fair use" is that one reader can make one copy of the project for personal use. Whether the builder can make more than one copy depends on "how many more" and is a very vague legal construct.
This is where personal ethics come into play. My take is -- if I needed to make more than two copies, then I would be honor-bound to contact the publisher and the author to inquire about the rights necessary to make that many pieces. Generally speaking, I'd likely have some compelling hobbyist reason that furthered the hobby.
For example, 20 years ago in the USA I might have wanted to make 20 or 50 each of a code practice oscillator PCB so that I could teach prospective hams how to solder up a useful project to assist them in earning their ham license.
On the other hand, if I just wanted to make and sell a bunch of PCBs and/or kits based on stealing somebody else's IP -- well, then I would deserve to burn in Hell. Sooner rather than later, too.
Just my USD$0.02.
73
Jim N6OTQ
PS -- Most of the developers/authors/publishers whom I have contacted about my making many copies of a project have been very receptive to the idea of a joint venture by which both of us would make some money. So -- ask before you copy.
>________________________________
> From: Rick Sparber <rgsparber@...>
>To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Wednesday, August 7, 2013 2:41 PM
>Subject: RE: [Homebrew_PCBs] Printing of replica of PCB on paper
>
>
>SG,
>
>If a hobby magazine provides a PCB layout, then it should be fine to make a
>single board for home use. It would not be fair to copy the magazine and
>give it out to your friend. Similarly, it would not be fair to make lots of
>boards and sell or give them out to friends.
>
>There is something called the "fair use doctrine" which governs such things:
>
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use
>
>Now, there is also something called Copyleft, which I routinely use. You are
>free to copy and even sell anything I produce but I don't want you to change
>it including but not limited to removing my name.
>
>Rick
>Rick.Sparber.org
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
>On Behalf Of Sudipta Ghose
>Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2013 11:51 AM
>To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Printing of replica of PCB on paper
>
>Rick,
>Thanks for the very thought provoking mail.
>Now, visualise this. I buy one hobby magazine. They provide a PCB design
>with the mag which I want to get fabricated at home. I print the pcb from
>the optical media provided with the mag on a tracing paper for making a
>film.
>Is there anything inappropriate? Kindly enlighten me.
>73
>SG
>
>On Wed, Aug 7, 2013 at 11:52 PM, Rick Sparber <rgsparber@...> wrote:
>
>> ∗∗
>>
>>
>> Sudipta,
>>
>> Let me suggest a simple way to think about this.
>>
>> Say you developed a PCB layout at great expense and effort. I paid for
>> a copy and you sent it to me. I had trouble printing it out after
>> downloading but then fixed the problem. Then I printed out the
>> repaired artwork which is identical to what you first sold me. How
>> would you feel about me making copies and selling them without your
>> permission?
>>
>>
>> Rick
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com]
>> On Behalf Of Sudipta Ghose
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2013 11:04 AM
>> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
>> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Printing of replica of PCB on paper
>>
>> Hi Rick!
>> Thanks for the link. However, the design was paid for by me and it was
>> emailed to me. The size went haywire on printing after downloading.
>> 73
>> SG
>>
>> On Wed, Aug 7, 2013 at 11:19 PM, Rick Sparber <rgsparber@...> wrote:
>>
>> > ∗∗
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > "By such printing of exact replica of PCB nobody's intellectual
>> > property will be violated!"
>> >
>> > You may want to read this:
>> >
>> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substantial_similarity
>> >
>> > Rick
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>--
>One of those ... ...
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]