AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Audio by Van Alstine => Topic started by: dlparker on 13 May 2022, 09:45 pm
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Anyone know what this is all about?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175274524916?hash=item28cf2d00f4:g:6pAAAOSwO5pieTcl
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The e-bay seller page says
As a lover of everything audio related for over 40 years and an owner of way too much equipment I m happy to help you locate that hard to find speaker badge or name plate. A great reproduction is better than no badge at all.
A generous reading is that it's fan art.
More realistically, it's a one-stop shop for counterfeiters.
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He is actually a guy I know. There is no copyright infringement as he did not use any logo or font used by the brand. So, there is no problem with any of his labels.
Wayner
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He is actually a guy I know. There is no copyright infringement as he did not use any logo or font used by the brand. So, there is no problem with any of his labels.
Wayner
That's good to know. I'm glad he has permission in writing from all of those trademark holders to use their logos.
Or are you saying that in his view he tweaked the logos slightly so he can sell them without permission? Perhaps his motives are honorable, but I don't see that holding up for a femtosecond in a court of law. I'm not a lawyer, but lawsuits have been filed, and won, over much more vague similarities.
I don't wish anyone ill. It simply seems like thin ice to be dancing on.
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No big deal
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That's good to know. I'm glad he has permission in writing from all of those trademark holders to use their logos.
Or are you saying that in his view he tweaked the logos slightly so he can sell them without permission? Perhaps his motives are honorable, but I don't see that holding up for a femtosecond in a court of law. I'm not a lawyer, but lawsuits have been filed, and won, over much more vague similarities.
I don't wish anyone ill. It simply seems like thin ice to be dancing on.
He didn't copy any logo and the words are not copyrighted. It's not like others that steal music dlownloads like a bastard and think nothing of it.
Here I'll just type "Audio by Van Alstine". Did I just violate any copyright law?
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Looking through his 13 pages of logo emblems, I'd be stunned if he isn't in copyright violation. Some of those are quite elaborate symbols, not just names.
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xxQAAOSwo3NhrUoB/s-l1600.jpg)
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He's clearly putting himself at risk here, but it's not that big a deal. If anything, he may receive a cease and desist order if one of these companies was bothered. It would be nice if his description said they were a reproduction of the original badges and not original.
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He's made quite a few for me over the years..mostly for replacements on speaker grilles and for custom made dust covers..great guy. He will design anything for you if you send him a photo too.
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Also bought grill badges from this vendor for defunct speakers at a much lower cost than the hard-to-find originals and was glad to get them.
He's clearly putting himself at risk here, but it's not that big a deal. If anything, he may receive a cease and desist order if one of these companies was bothered. It would be nice if his description said they were a reproduction of the original badges and not original.
I looked at about four badges including those mentioned by the op, they all begin with these words "Custom made replacement speaker badges".
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So he is a talented, skilled human that provides personal service, where most would tell you "move on". He even has to deal with the occasional accusation of being a criminal, and he plods on anyway, helping people like you and me out of a stupid little jam.
We need people like him. Thank you for introducing him to us!
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Believe me, the Chinese who counterfeit don't need to buy labels from anyone, they do it all in-house.
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Didn't mean to stir up such a hornet's nest. Sure sounds like he has only good intentions.
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Quite a difference of opinions. I think he provides a great service, especially considering that some companies are defunct. I’ll use him for a few custom pieces I have.
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Didn't mean to stir up such a hornet's nest.
Translation: "I now regret writing a Subject for my post beginning with "WTF?" and ending with a dramatic "???" "
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Translation: "I now regret writing a Subject for my post beginning with "WTF?" and ending with a dramatic "???" "
Pretty much. Although the subject line did reflect my sentiments at the time.
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Like some speaker company would get pissed with his few dollar sales (per badge set) and help spread the word about the manufacturer. Its like free advertising for them. As others have pointed out, many of the companies have changed their logo or do not exist anymore. If some manufacturer gets their undies in a bunch, they can send him a cease and desist order.
I recently bought the larger (1.125") AR badge for my AR-3 speakers. Of course those badges are faded and tarnished. I put his right over the old. Looks great.
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Like some speaker company would get pissed with his few dollar sales (per badge set) and help spread the word about the manufacturer. Its like free advertising for them. As others have pointed out, many of the companies have changed their logo or do not exist anymore. If some manufacturer gets their undies in a bunch, they can send him a cease and desist order.
I recently bought the larger (1.125") AR badge for my AR-3 speakers. Of course those badges are faded and tarnished. I put his right over the old. Looks great.
My first thought was that they were intended not as replacements but for putting on non-AVA equipment.
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He's a great guy. We worked together on a few designs and materials for some badges I wanted and he now sells them as part of his line. He even sent me some replacements in a different material when the originals didn't come out as planned. I have McIntosh badges, Snell speaker badges, Vinnie Rossi Lio badges and VPI turntable badges, big favs on VPI's site after I posted some photos, all from this seller. I can highly recommend him for any replacements or dressing up of your gear and accessories.
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To bad this guy was not around in the 1970s and 80s when our business was rebuilding Dynaco and Hafler chassis with our own circuits.
His badges look better then the ones we were using then. We probably could have done business with him then.
Now, of course, we would frown on efforts to mis-identify old products that are not ours.
Frank
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Here I'll just type "Audio by Van Alstine". Did I just violate any copyright law?
No, you did not violate any copyright by just typing it.
But if you start making millions off it, then it would be a violation.
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I actually need some of these badges. I'd better buy them from him before he's off to the big house.
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I actually need some of these badges. I'd better buy them from him before he's off to the big house.
Now you're supporting a fugitive. Both of you can be room mates.
BTW, if you're going to quote someone, do it the correct way.
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Ummmmmmmmmmm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125345203058?hash=item1d2f280372:g:av8AAOSwdUtiltgd
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Ummmmmmmmmmm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125345203058?hash=item1d2f280372:g:av8AAOSwdUtiltgd
The guy that made the label is not the guy that put it on an amplifier that is not AVA. Try pointing the finger at the right guy.
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The guy that made the label is not the guy that put it on an amplifier that is not AVA. Try pointing the finger at the right guy.
I posted a link related to the subject of this thread, which is a badge, and the word "ummm." Try pointing the finger at whatever finger pointing your mind imagined took place in my post.
But hey, heaven forbid I save someone from getting ripped off for over a stack...perish the thought of besmirching the label guy's good name that nobody here even knows or cares about.
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I like the label remakes, particularly the vintage ones that are no longer made and often difficult to find. I don't think there's any problem with reproductions of those. I might have to pick up a pair of reproduction vintage EPI badges. :D
Regarding the topic in general, look at the auto industry. One can buy a BMW badge (even a real one) and put it on a Ford Tempo. If one cannot discern that the Ford Tempo is not actually a BMW M5, then maybe the buyer doesn't deserve to be saved from their own ignorance. That doesn't mean the seller isn't a crook. But at some point, if people can't help themselves, then maybe they need to learn some lessons the hard way. Do your research. Ask questions.
Where I think things get really messed up is with actual counterfeit products. Counterfeit audio cables are a problem as they're relatively easy to fake but look real, at least to the untrained eye. Fake Furutech products are a major issue. Go to YouTube and you'll find videos showing how to make fake high-end power cables with fake Furutech plug sets. :duh: Again, do your research. Ask questions such as : Do you have the original packaging? Do you have the original receipt or other proof of origin (if they're not an authorized dealer)? If they get defensive or offer excuse after excuse, move on. It's that simple.
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Buyer beware. I would like to think even without this pointer I would question the seller's reputation and intention just by his ad. All in boldface, lots of exclamation, caps, misspellings, questionable setting bought from with mention of high(er) end gear and the damning " I am not sure what model they are?". Lots of flags - pass.