Subject: Behringer [was Re: [linux-audio-user] Re: [linux-audio-dev] RME is no more]
From: Lee Revell (rlrevell_AT_joe-job.com)
Date: Sat Nov 27 2004 - 23:36:17 EET
On Sat, 2004-11-27 at 15:43 -0500, Lee Revell wrote:
> > Did this happen?
>
> Maybe not to them but look at Mackie and Behringer.
Just to save people some googling here is a thread that documents the
long and colorful history of pro audio hardware manufacturers blatantly
ripping each other off, often leaving the victims with no legal
recourse:
http://homerecording.com/bbs/archive/index.php/t-74439.html
IMO the issue is not whether RME's concern is valid - clearly it is.
Sorry, but arguing otherwise makes us look stupid and naive. The issue
is how to address this concern. If that means a closed source Linux
driver, fine.
Maybe the reason no firewire hardware is supported is because Behringer
and their ilk would instantly have all the info they need to copy the
design and mass produce it. Doesn't matter how cheap the device is to
design - it will _always_ be cheaper to rip someone off than design it
yourself. They can even sell at a loss, due to huge cash reserves -
they only need to sustain it long enough to put the competition out of
business. In the case of the "Swizz Army Tuner", the original designers
were ripped off by Behringer, but a lawsuit would have bankrupted them
_even if they won_ so could not take action.
I think many people in this thread underestimate how cutthroat the
hardware business is.
Lee
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