<HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2></FONT>If you make enough changes you could call it a "Loveway & Sons" or a "SteinLove & Sons"...;-]</DIV> <DIV align=left> </DIV> <DIV align=left>David I.</DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2>----- Original message ----------------------------------------><BR>From: David Love <<A href="mailto:davidlovepianos@earthlink.net">davidlovepianos@earthlink.net</A>><BR>To: Pianotech <<A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>><BR>Received: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 18:57:50 -0800<BR>Subject: When is a Steinway still a Steinway</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT size=2><BR>Back to pianos, hopefully.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Had this discussion the other day with another tech when we were talking about a Steinway M and a couple of proposed changes which included: a new bass bridge, getting rid of the cantilever and lengthening the backscale, rescaling the piano and changing many of the gauges, especially in the upper end of the piano, detuning the duplexes and adding a new counterbearing bar in the capo section to change the string angle and duplex length...  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Several questions arise considering recent discussions about patent infringements, though this takes a slightly different angle.  At what point do changes breach any tacit understandings/agreements about what can be done to a piano and still call it that maker's piano?  Does the technician have any legal or other obligation to adhere to the designers intention, or commit any breach by making such changes?  What is the responsibility to inform customers of such changes (say in a spec situation with a piano for sale)?  Or any other considerations that I have not mentioned, or though of.  These types of changes, I realize, are made all the time.  What obligation do we have as technicians in such situations?  Any other thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>David Love</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>