Hi there,
I've been building a few software synthesizers and fx plugins after famous hardware. I pretty much rebuilt those as close as possible to the original structure, in result they even sound quite similar, of course no perfect match.
When talking about "Design" I mean the structure of the hardware as well as similarities in the visual layout. No copies, just similarities.
At first I built them for myself cause I couldn't afford the hardware. After investing a few hundred hours I've been thinking about selling them, not for much, just a few bucks. I wouldn't use the same model or brand name of course.
What do you think, am I on the legal side? After all these hardware are also just re-enactments of previous hardware.
Thanks.
Patent / Copyright on Synthesizer Design?
-
- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 74 posts since 23 May, 2017
-
- KVRAF
- 8826 posts since 6 Jan, 2017 from Outer Space
Regarding patents, anything older than 25 years is set free, and as the possible patents are probably older than the first incarnation of such a synth, it might be even less. For example John Chownings FM patent is not a concern. Copyright holds longer, that might apply to the layout and look of the front panel. Best is to create your own, it won't affect the sound...
In most cases, emulations have better layouts than the original, on a screen additional controls don't add to production cost...
In most cases, emulations have better layouts than the original, on a screen additional controls don't add to production cost...