Amiga PCs on the way....

[jorkany]

OK, like I said a bit harsh, but apparently heartfelt. Comments?

I still think it's hilarious that this guy comes along with a simple premise like "slap the Commodore/Amiga brand on a PC" and in less than a month generates more interest than Hyperion who spent 10 years spinning their wheels trying to "resurrect the Amiga".

I don't necessarily agree with his methods but I think there's a lesson here for any company trying to make a living off the name.

[the_leander]

I don't necessarily agree with his methods but I think there's a lesson here for any company trying to make a living off the name.

What, you mean like have a product that you can ship that isn't outrageously priced, that may appeal to more than just your current fanbase?

[haywirepc]

This guy running this "company" is a huge asshole.
 
Its nice that he kind of trashed AROS like that, considering he is implying on his website that these rebadged pc's will run an amiga like os....
Since his pc's are x86... What amiga like os is he implying will run on them if not AROS?
 
I think its pretty neat that this guy didn't address the fact that they stole half their website from apple, word for word, and just copied and pasted their own computer names in the text and replaced the computer pictures.
 
If I can't get permission to use someone's artwork, I just don't do it, and I'm an individual, not a company, so his argument about that shows his total lack of ethics, integrity, and probably education.
 
 
There is also the fact that the former fake user bigbenaussie was such a huge supporter of this guy, now he's the "chief technical officer" there.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if this new supporter is not who he appears to be.
 
Steven

[djrikki]

It seems to me that he brought up a fairly reasonable comparison, since both are copyright violations. Someone owns the rights to Happy Birthday, and if singing Happy Birthday contributes to the atmosphere that people are seeking in that establishment, it can be argued that they are benefiting from someone else's work without paying for it... much like someone taking a picture from the web and posting it on their site in an effort to make money.

Honestly, I'm against copyright protection in both areas. Happy Birthday is so commonly sung, it shouldn't be an issue, since the owners of the copyright know it's in the public domain now due to the nature of the song. Likewise, if you don't want someone else to post your image somewhere else, possibly modified, don't post it to the World Wide Web -- it's the antithesis of a private medium.

Hi, OT, but hmm isn't Happy Birthday coming out of copyright very soon?

[the_leander]

Hi, OT, but hmm isn't Happy Birthday coming out of copyright very soon?

Chances are depending on where you live it probably is.

The issue in the US at least is that Disney will continue to push for extensions on copyright to prevent Mickey Mouse falling out of it.

[djrikki]

Actually looked on Wiki, in Europe it runs out during December 31, 2016 and further copyright extension will not be granted.

[the_leander]

Actually looked on Wiki, in Europe it runs out during December 31, 2016 and further copyright extension will not be granted.

I gotta say, if the EU actually develops the balls to say no to a further extension when the time comes, I'll be very surprised.

[Iggy]

If you are always bitching about him and his company, you were never a potential customer to begin with.

I do believe that was one of Altman's points. He really doesn't need to cater to us, we only represent a small part of the potential market.

And if he seems a little peeved, maybe he's got a right to be as he's only trying to get get his company started.

The one thing you've faulted him on (using someone else's artwork w/o permission) could be corrected if the property owner contacted him. I'm sure he'd be willing to work out a deal for the use of the image.

Guys, this isn't any different than selling motorcycles built from third party Harley parts and labeling them Indians.

Besides, if Commodore was still around, what would they be selling? Most likely PCs.

[the_leander]

The one thing you've faulted him on (using someone else's artwork w/o permission) could be corrected if the property owner contacted him. I'm sure he'd be willing to work out a deal for the use of the image.

The thing that annoyed me wasn't that he took an image that didn't belong to him. It was that he deliberately tried to alter it to disguise its provenance.

Not to mention his plagiarised description of the cybernet.

And whilst we're at it.

His faux legal threats to an established, respected news site - OSNews.

Oh and let us not forget - his implied threat against this site.

[Iggy]

The thing that annoyed me wasn't that he took an image that didn't belong to him. It was that he deliberately tried to alter it to disguise its provenance.

Not to mention his plagiarised description of the cybernet.

And whilst we're at it.

His faux legal threats to an established, respected news site - OSNews.

Oh and let us not forget - his implied threat against this site.

I don't see his mention of the unauthorized use of the term Amiga in Amiga.org's name as a threat. Only Bill McEwen could issue a threat based on that (and he's never shown any such inclination). I think the point was that his use was legitimate (and that Amiga.org was using that  trademark without authorization).

As to a faux legal threat, is Hyperion suing anyone? While OSNews can claim absense of malice if they legitimately thought this was the case, there has been no further confirmation on this point.

And you guys seem fixated on that artwork and the Pheonix manual.

[redrumloa]

Oh and let us not forget - his implied threat against this site.

I stopped paying attention, when did this guy threaten AO? Link please.

[the_leander]

I don't see his mention of the unauthorized use of the term Amiga in Amiga.org's name as a threat. Only Bill McEwen could issue a threat based on that (and he's never shown any such inclination).I think the point was that his use was legitimate (and that Amiga.org was using that  trademark without authorization).

Firstly, for there to be a potential trademark issue, they would have to be in the same market or at least similar enough that there might be some confusion in the mind of an average persion. Secondly, you have to defend your trademarks, thirdly and finally, Amiga.inc has repeatedly said they have no issue with Amiga.org.

If Trademarks worked they way you and he are implying, the vast majority of Mac rumour sites would have been shut down 10 minutes after they were fired up.

If you don't see the implied threat, well, you might want to re-read

JUST WHO LICENSED AMIGA.ORG THE AMIGA TRADEMARK PROPERTY APPEARING ON YOUR BANNER MASTHEAD??? NO ONE!!
Any comments on that flagrant violation of trademark law? I'll be most interested in a reply to that one. Very interested.

Given his attempt to squelch free speech using inapplicable Georgia law copied off of a website dealing with chilling effects (yes, ironic) of dicey legal threats, I don't think I'll be taking lessons on Trademarks from this fella.

As to a faux legal threat, is Hyperion suing anyone?

Nice dodge of the issue, but wrong threat.

And you guys seem fixated on that artwork and the Pheonix manual.

If it had simply been the case that he'd grabbed the image and put it up, chances are most people wouldn't have given a crap. It was that he altered it to hide who had made the piece as well as other alterations that irritated folk.

[the_leander]

I stopped paying attention, when did this guy threaten AO? Link please.

He didn't threaten it outright (apparently even his crassness knows limits)

What he said specifically was:

Oh…..ONE MORE THING !!!! All you self righteous self appointed moral compasses out there with the huge mouths and not much else. JUST WHO LICENSED AMIGA.ORG THE AMIGA TRADEMARK PROPERTY APPEARING ON YOUR BANNER MASTHEAD???   NO ONE!! Any comments on that flagrant violation of trademark law? I'll be most interested in a reply to that one. Very interested.

Which is utter balls.

[redrumloa]

He didn't threaten it outright (apparently even his crassness knows limits)

What he said specifically was:
                Originally Posted by Iggy                             
             

Oh…..ONE MORE THING !!!! All you  self righteous self appointed moral compasses out there with the huge  mouths and not much else. JUST WHO LICENSED AMIGA.ORG  THE AMIGA TRADEMARK PROPERTY APPEARING ON YOUR BANNER MASTHEAD???   NO  ONE!! Any comments on that flagrant violation of trademark law? I'll be  most interested in a reply to that one. Very interested.

[/I]
 Which is utter balls.

Oh dear.. So this guy isn't too bright at all... Good luck alienating your potential customers. Besides, there is a reason Amiga Inc never went after Amiga.org... I will leave it there.

I will reserve further comment atm...

[Iggy]

Which is utter balls.

That wasn't really a counter argument.

Since Amiga.org has been here for years (w/o challenge), there's no real threat.

Just a point.

[the_leander]

That wasn't really a counter argument.

Since Amiga.org has been here for years (w/o challenge), there's no real threat.

Just a point.

Clearly you didn't bother reading the response directed at you.

Your (and his) "point" is utter bunkum.

Even ignoring for the moment that Amiga.inc have stated in the past that there is no issue with AO,  Trademarks do not work that way.