Patents, etc.

[famous beagle]

So ... does anyone know exactly what the requirements are for you to be able to market your own amp? How different does it have to be from others in order for you to not be sued?

For example, the first Marshall JTM was basically a Fender tweed Bassman, but with a 4x12 separate close-backed cabinet instead of a 4x10 combo design. So ... why was Jim able to get away with this?

Does anyone know details such as these?

I'm in the process of building a Marshall 18-watt clone, and I've got a brother-in-law with a full wood/electronics shop chomping at the bit for me to start my own amp line. How much would I have to modify the components of an 18-watt clone, for example, in order to market it as my own?

Just curious.

Thanks

 

[Chili]

Did you do a search to see if there are any patents on the amp you're cloning?? Maybe guitar amps are a broad-enough classification that you can't patent anything on the basic design. You might not be infringing on anything.

If so, then just use linear faders instead of pots and say it's for better visual representation of the amp's settings. idk....

 

[mshilarious]

I'm in the process of building a Marshall 18-watt clone, and I've got a brother-in-law with a full wood/electronics shop chomping at the bit for me to start my own amp line. How much would I have to modify the components of an 18-watt clone, for example, in order to market it as my own?

Probably not any, if the design is older than twenty years. Most analog circuits, especially tube circuits, are long out of patent. Be careful with copying trade dress, trademarks, etc.; that is, make sure it doesn't look like a Marshall.