=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Re:_Au_contraire, _mon_frere, perhaps_(and_a_rant)_was_Re:_Whole_room_humidity_control_better_thanDampp_Chaser._(_Right?)?=

[Avery Todd]

Hi Roger,

I never asked that. I just now sent a post to Les B. asking what he was
referring to because I didn't see the original post. Thanks "probably" to
Gmail. But I never asked that. But it was interesting information none the
less. Thanks.

Avery
2008/2/17 Alan Barnard <pianotuner at embarqmail.com>:

>  "*I **would **like to gently point out that Dampp-Chaser has a patent on
> the undercover **and back side cover.  We kindly ask technicians to honor
> this." Roger Wheelock
> *
> And ...
>
> *Dear List,
>
> Avery has asked that I post to the list regarding the Dampp-Chaser patent
> on the undercover and the backside cover.  As a manufacturer, we maintain a
> strong business relationship with our local patent attorneys.  When we come
> up with a new idea we get their law firm involved.  They complete an initial
> evaluation of potential patentability.  If they make a positive
> recommendation, we work with them to complete an application.  They
> obviously use their "special" terminology and illustrations that deliver a
> document designed to meet a government patent inspector's expectations.
> Then we enter into a review and appeal process that after some (often
> seemingly endless) period of time can result in a patent being issued.
> Sometimes we are told that the idea is obvious and not patentable at the end
> of this journey.  Costs are considerable as the attorneys charge by the
> minute at a rate equivalent to $250 per hour.
>
> Patents are often drafted to include "anything under the sun" type
> claims.  Then some claims get rejected during the iterative review process.
> The patent as issued can then have some inconsistencies within the document
> based on these activities.  With regard to the patent under discussion, I
> believe we had a long list of materials for use as an undercover or backside
> cover and tried to achieve maximum material design freedom in the final
> document subject to the judgments of the patent inspector.
>
> The Mylar was initially used on upright pianos, but was never tried on a
> grand.  We feel that our current material falls within the scope of the
> patent as do most materials purchased at fabric stores, but others may
> disagree.  We have heard the argument that the patent was issued for an
> obvious idea.  Indeed this topic is in the news with a recent Supreme Court
> ruling saying that too many patents have been issued for obvious ideas.
> With these changes in the air, critics of our patent may have a means to
> "reverse" it in the future...if they have the time, energy and money to
> participate in the process.
>
> Kindly note we have not been pushy about the patent.  In the numerous
> training programs we conduct I simply mention the patent, explain that we
> are not the patent police, and ask technicians to do what they feel is
> right.
>
> Our intention was and is to develop a climate control system that provides
> maximum benefit to the piano.  I was skeptical of the undercover benefit at
> first, but over the years I have seen it improve system performance in many
> grand installations.  In this regard, we are considering making it standard
> equipment in the grand systems sold in Europe.  I do appreciate the kind
> comments about our product in this thread that has certainly morphed from a
> data logger discussion.  I also thank you for your support of our
> organization over the years.
>
> Sincerely,
> Roger Wheelock, VP
> Dampp-Chaser Corporation
> *
> I have no particular problem with any of that. I just think they are
> absurdly overpriced for what you get, the difficulty of installing it and
> servicing the piano afterwards. Etc. The solution: Come up with a set-up
> that is simpler, better-looking (a la Mark Cramer's effort), easier to
> install and get around for servicing; then, instead of selling it as a
> separate item, just include the dang thing with the grand systems (regular,
> large, or super-size your order).
>
> Alan Barnard
> Salem, MO
>
>  ------------------------------
> Original message
> From: "paul bruesch"
> To: l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net, "Pianotech List"
> Received: 2/17/2008 7:00:08 PM
> Subject: Re: Au contraire, mon frere,perhaps (and a rant) was Re: Whole
> room humidity control better thanDampp Chaser. ( Right?)
>
> This came up a few months ago and Roger Wheelock did chime in on it with a
> very thoughtful and reasonable post.... check the archives.
>
> On Feb 17, 2008 6:25 PM, Leslie Bartlett <l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> >   I don't think the DC engineers spent a lot of time designing and
> > inventing this "product".
> >
> > [Leslie Bartlett] On what exactly do they have a patent?   The "idea"?
> > How can one limit others from putting a piece of cloth on their own
> > furniture?  The cloth?  Is there some special blend they use which is
> > patented?   Sure would like DC to get in on this discussion. Maybe a call to
> > them would be wise........
> > les b
> >
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20080217/47a04d93/attachment.html