<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: [CAUT] downbearing gauge, homemade</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> Yes, don’t make it for sale without investigating. I tried to buy a Lowell gauge for several years running: back ordered and not filled. I finally asked and was told it might not become available again. At which point I decided to make one, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. If someone wanted to challenge that patent, they might have a good case, based on its not having been exercised. I understand that if you get a patent, but then fail to make use of the item/process/whatever by manufacturing, making available to the public, the patent lapses, loses force. Not something I care to find out about, but if it isn’t true, it ought to be.     As long as I’m opining on the subject of patents, I have to say I vastly prefer the Spurlock approach: come up with a design, tell people about it, then manufacture it at a reasonable price. The idea catches on better, and you probably make more money in the long run. We are such a tiny market that patenting something like Lowell’s gauge is rather silly IMO. I have no objection to somebody making some money on inventiveness, but a bit of common sense doesn’t hurt, either. BTW, I notice in the latest Pianotek catalog that Lowell’s gauge is listed “call for price.” Regards, Fred Sturm University of New Mexico On 4/4/06 6:19 PM, "Don Mannino" <DMannino@kawaius.com> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>Might infringe on Tom Lowell's gauge, though.  I know he does have patents. It's OK to make anything for one's personal use, of course! Don <BLOCKQUOTE>-----Original Message----- From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Fred Sturm Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 5:10 PM To: caut Subject: Re: [CAUT] downbearing gauge, homemade On 4/3/06 6:20 PM, "Jeff Olson" <jlolson@cal.net> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE> Wow, thanks, Fred.  Maybe I'm overly in touch with my feminine side, but I think it's downright cute.  The level on top is cool.  Think I might make me one (you didn't go and patent it, did you? :-) Jeff <BLOCKQUOTE> </BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE> Hi Jeff,     Nope, no patent. Open source code <g>. Any and everyone may feel free to copy, improve, do whatever. That’s why I posted it. Regards, Fred Sturm University of New Mexico </BLOCKQUOTE> </BLOCKQUOTE> </BODY> </HTML>