Purchase limits (and a rant)

[Helder]

We are still in talks about limits but 3 might be a good max for the first run and we will see from there how much demand there is and believe me the prices we are throwing around is very very reasonable to get this project going for anyone and some good news:




Screen and board are working!

[whatever_guy]

Wow, reading about this really pisses me off.

I can't believe that someone can so casually presume to be able to use both yours and Helder's work in such an endeavour.

I'm new here and I've come to this place with an open mind, as a hobby to try my hand at. I'm glad to be able to try and participate in community (project). Looking for something fun and interesting to dabble in. I really appreciate the effort you guys put into your work and the fact that you're already willing to share it out (put together build kits for others), etc it's awesome! it takes the edge off for newbies like me, to get into new things. Seriously I couldn't even fathom how to make your v1 MintyPi

I can see and as you've mentioned ppl do sell pre-built GBZ's but they are small extras/customs that ppl make and that is cool. Esp when you want to make some for family, friends etc.

What they are trying to do is turn it into a commercial enterprise Seriously 1000?!?!?
So glad your manufacturer contacted you, so you could put a stop to this. If you happen to have gotten their address too, then when you guys open up orders I would ban them from purchasing Though I'm sure they could get around that.

That said, I think definitely put a limit ( at least initially ) and seriously anything more than 5-10 is already suspect to me. Maybe make it 10 max per order?

In regards to sharing the designs, I guess as you say the STL designs and the way the community works then it's unfortunate if you don't share them as a lot of ppl have their own 3D printers these days for various projects.

I think Helder's designs should remain his. If they want to pay him for the designs then that's his decision. I think I read elsewhere that he's already not going to release them though. If the offenders really want to though they could probably make a copy somehow once they have one in hand though such is the way things work these days with copy cats.

Keep up the good work guys!

[Apis]

I can't believe someone would be so brazen as try to order your own PCB from your manufacturer. Unbelievable. First things first, protect your intellectual property. I don't think ya'll should release any STL files anymore. Nor should you release the exact wiring, maybe just the boards functions, it'll help stop copy cats. Maybe the case should only be for sale, no files for at home 3D printing.

Also, PLEASE file a Cease and Desist against this person. You have their info. If ONLY most victim of IP abuse were so lucky. Also, PLEASE register the name of your products and designs. Some asshole recently attempted to file and take the name of Retropie and Emulation station from their respective opensource projects. You won't believe at what people will do.

As far as Helder saying that he won't release any pics or info til a project is done... that may be an overreaction. You've made such amazing things due to your interactions with the Maker community while making your designs. Would be sad to lose that. Maybe, as I suggested, obfuscate the exact wiring and button placements and WATERMARK your images.

[Helder]

I can't believe someone would be so brazen as try to order your own PCB from your manufacturer. Unbelievable. First things first, protect your intellectual property. I don't think ya'll should release any STL files anymore. Nor should you release the exact wiring, maybe just the boards functions, it'll help stop copy cats. Maybe the case should only be for sale, no files for 3D printing as home.

Also, PLEASE file a Cease and Desist against this person. Also, PLEASE register the name of your products and designs. Some asshole recently attempted to file and take the name of Retropie and Emulation station from their respective opensource projects. You won't believe at what people will do.

As far as Helder saying that he won't release any pics or info til a project is done... that may be an overreaction. You've made such amazing things due to your interactions with the Maker community while making your designs. Would be sad to lose that. Maybe, as I suggested, obfuscate the exact wiring and button placements and WATERMARK your images.

Well keeping things a little private will give me time to test things out and also keeps people away long enough to actually finish the project. I'm sure Wermy can tell you how many people have contacted him for the STL files and other things, so a little time is good for the project to move along.

Wermy is already taking action on one front to stop potential thieves from tricking people into buying things from unofficial sources. This all just happened today so things will likely change but I'm a little heated right now so this is the decision I'm taking but is likely to change.

[RarinImp]

Wow...just wow. Whoever this guy is that contacted the manufacturer must have some serious cajones. I really don't blame either of you, Helder & Wermy, for considering a limit on this. While I've never had any intellectual property snagged of mine, I have had people literally steal work from under me.

The two of you are the reason I'm even trying to mess with raspberry pi in general if I'm completely honest. I saw Wermy's YouTube vids and got curious, came here, saw guys like Helder and Kite doing amazing pcb designs, and thought holy s***bawls Batman! These guys are incredibly talented... I need to learn from them!

That said, I'm glad you guys were given the heads up. Keep up the amazing work. And screw that rat bastard for trying to screw you guys.

[RetroRocket]

Just disgusting. I'm an industrial designer and deal with intellectual property rights on a daily basis. A source on constant contention is international protection (*cough* China copies *cough*) You put your best into your designs and labors and absolutely have a right to protect them.
If knockoffs are attributed to you, then when they inevitably lack in functionality or otherwise fail to deliver, it's your reputation on the line. On the other hand, if they completely ignore the originator, then scalp your justly deserved compensation, it's a disincentive to share anything in the future.

I have a deep appreciation for this community and electronics in general as I know just enough to understand when given direction but nowhere near enough to imagine doing any of it myself. You guys seriously amaze me. CAD models hit close to home as well, as I've had several of my professional STL files stolen before and the process to recover the IP rights is agony.

I would have no qualms about a purchase limit or a watermark on your creations. I would personally be honored to be able to open my creations and point to the greater minds that went into making my hobbies a bit easier for this ham-handed oaf.

[VeteranGamer]

We are still in talks about limits but 3 might be a good max for the first run and we will see from there how much demand there is and believe me the prices we are throwing around is very very reasonable to get this project going for anyone and some good news:


Screen and board are working!

i'm completely taken a back how early this has happened in the whole process of this project....

your always gonna get this kind of thing happening, especially when a project has been launched and people see the interest in it and the potential to cash in on developers hard work (without putting anything in themselves)...
but the gall of this individual is just outragous and if one of this forums community members very disappointing


perosnally i feel 3 units per order seems a little high (my opinion), but that could be a refelction of the units you guys are ordering in...

and depending on the price point, people will start snapping them up, and even though it not a major issue this project unlike the Gameboy this may end up being a resale project rather than something people want to make for themselves or family/friends (everyone does have the right to do what they want with it).... and sort of takes something away from the whole thing (again my opinion)


its great to here things are moving along (screen and board working)...

and cant thank you guys enough for the hard work you have put in....

[correia5022]

This reminds me a case, that actually went to higher instances, of a "company" that was selling 3D printed objects on ebay, but they just downloaded the models from thingiverse.com and used the textured images of that 3d object on his ebay page.
Of course he didn't even mentioned the creator of that 3d object.

In conclusion, yes you are absolutely right on not to release your base work (say models, stl files, pcb's, etc), and unfortunately the ones who actually want to test and improve those designs will not be able to do it because of those greedy ones trying to sell your work

[Helder]

The funny thing was how he says I don't have time to put it public for sale so I apparently gave him permission to order a huge order so he can only offer a few to the public. He has read this thread and I'd love to have him post a response but I doubt he wants to let people know who he is and I do have his address and will not sell to him anything.

[Holliday86]

I think it's disgusting that someone would try to take advantage of you in such a way and just plain steal your IP.

Some people have no morals.