My next preamp: Cary SPL-90 CLONE

It does seem vary unfair to the original designer / manufacturer, even though the expired copyright date expired, to allow such a limited market specialty, minimal profit item to be cloned and sold. I know copyright has its place but in this case, it seems like intellectual property and loss of sales (to the original designer) is robbery as a minimum. Not to mention morally unethical. Having said that. personal morals and integrity are rare qualities these days.

On another topic brought up in the discussion, there are some justifiable reasons why Canada has some cause for their animosity towards the USA. Check out the new Ambassador Bridge, a vital economic connection between Detroit, MI and Winsdor, ON linking both countries and funded entirely by the Canadian government. This Administration has intentionally delayed its opening. Hopefully not true anymore.
 
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ggdudeabides said:
It does seem vary unfair to the original designer / manufacturer, even though the expired copyright date expired, to allow such a limited market specialty, minimal profit item to be cloned and sold. I know copyright has its place but in this case, it seems like intellectual property and loss of sales (to the original designer) is robbery as a minimum. Not to mention morally unethical. Having said that. personal morals and integrity are rare qualities these days.

On another topic brought up in the discussion, there are some justifiable reasons why Canada has some cause for their animosity towards the USA. Check out the new Ambassador Bridge, a vital economic connection between Detroit, MI and Winsdor, ON linking both countries and funded entirely by the Canadian government. This Administration has intentionally delayed its opening and wants to charge a toll for its use. A toll for paying nothing and holding the bridge opening as hostage!! Something is very wrong with this picture.
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It depends on how you look at it. The SLP90 that we are talking about being cloned was offered from 90-94 approximately and cost about $2800.00 estimated I couldn't find an actual new MSRP this is based off a British ad. I'd say a used SLP90 might cost around the same as the clone so I don't see any issue. A new Cary Audio preamp SLP98 would cost $6k or more depending on version/features. With that I don't see how a clone is taking money out of Cary's pocket. My concern might be reputation in case of an inferior product the buyer has to realize "clone" is the operative word.
 
Mr Peabody said:
It depends on how you look at it. The SLP90 that we are talking about being cloned was offered from 90-94 approximately and cost about $2800.00 estimated I couldn't find an actual new MSRP this is based off a British ad. I'd say a used SLP90 might cost around the same as the clone so I don't see any issue. A new Cary Audio preamp SLP98 would cost $6k or more depending on version/features. With that I don't see how a clone is taking money out of Cary's pocket. My concern might be reputation in case of an inferior product the buyer has to realize "clone" is the operative word.
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I think the larger issue is in this instance it may be an old design, but honestly recognizing the massive scale of IP theft organized by the Chinese government in every single industry and those who pretend it's not how their government works.

I worked with Chinese companies for 25 years. The scale of IP theft and industrial espionage is on a level unmatched by any other country in the world.
 
Thank you. Good perspective. The hi end product is a very small universe with limited distribution, sales and profits. Cloning used in the specialty, low volume, designed / manufactured audio prduct market is what I find generally unacceptable, regardless of price differentials.
 
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ggdudeabides said:
It does seem vary unfair to the original designer / manufacturer, even though the expired copyright date expired, to allow such a limited market specialty, minimal profit item to be cloned and sold. I know copyright has its place but in this case, it seems like intellectual property and loss of sales (to the original designer) is robbery as a minimum. Not to mention morally unethical. Having said that. personal morals and integrity are rare qualities these days.

On another topic brought up in the discussion, there are some justifiable reasons why Canada has some cause for their animosity towards the USA. Check out the new Ambassador Bridge, a vital economic connection between Detroit, MI and Winsdor, ON linking both countries and funded entirely by the Canadian government. This Administration has intentionally delayed its opening and wants to charge a toll for its use. A toll for paying nothing and holding the bridge opening as hostage!! Something is very wrong with this picture.
Click to expand...

Wrong bridge. You are talking about the Gordie Howe bridge.
 
Mr Peabody said:
It depends on how you look at it. The SLP90 that we are talking about being cloned was offered from 90-94 approximately and cost about $2800.00 estimated I couldn't find an actual new MSRP this is based off a British ad. I'd say a used SLP90 might cost around the same as the clone so I don't see any issue. A new Cary Audio preamp SLP98 would cost $6k or more depending on version/features. With that I don't see how a clone is taking money out of Cary's pocket. My concern might be reputation in case of an inferior product the buyer has to realize "clone" is the operative word.
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Makers like Cary, Accuphase, MBL and many, many others are entitled to ask what the market will bear. Generally what the buyer gets includes the prestige of owning a slice of the makers reputation, and often handsome, custom case work. For these things they are paying a significant amount.

A rational "clone" buyer, (such as myself I believe), understands he/she is forgoing that sliver of the original maker's reputation and the fancy case. We know we weren't getting "the real thing" -- nor paying it things. If patents and copyrights are not violated. we have no obligation to do so.

At the same time the "clone" buyer assumes significant risk. That is, imperfectly copied designs and/or inferior parts. (Notwithstanding that topologies, e.g. of tube amplifiers, are often pretty simple.) Hopefully most "clone" buyers have the clarity to understand this.
 
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