Neve clones - the final chapter

Jules · 10th October 2005

AMS Neve have stated clearly that they are keen to stop anyone from using their name & likeness on 'clone' equipment and plan to persue with action against any people continuing to do so...

Will this spell the end of the clones?

Silver Sonya · 10th October 2005

That's going to be a very expensive directive to pursue, depending on how exacting they want to be about it. Neve has allowed the brand name to lapse into a general use kind of area of culture. (The way that "Coke" means "cola" and "Kleenex" means "tissue"). People use it as audio shorthand now.

Are they going to sue people who have built products around "tribute" circuit topologies, or are they going to just send cease-and-desists to people who reference the name in their marketing? How far will they take the intellectual property jihad?

Either way, they risk generating a lot of resentment all around, amidst both manufacturers and consumers. I would tell them to "just relax, imitation's the sincerest form of..." etc. but somehow I doubt their legal department would be soothed by that kinda speech.

This is a bad day for the diversity of excellent outboard equipment we all currently enjoy and it's a good day for lawyers. In other words, it's a bad day.

--- c

**matt thomas** · 10th October 2005

yeah, the lawyers are going to be the only ones that'll benefit from this

narco

Shan · 10th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

AMS Neve have stated clearly that they are keen to stop anyone from using their name & likeness on 'clone' equipment and plan to persue with action against any people continuing to do so...

Will this spell the end of the clones?

Best of luck to them.

It will be an expensive endeavor.

Maybe they should go after the Chinese clones first.

And what about plugins like URS etc?

Wasnt there a Cable manufacturer a few years back that went psycho like this and tried to sue EVERYONE that had the same name?

Shane

Empty Planet · 10th October 2005

What's going to prevent people from just saying "Hey, it's our 'N Series.'" ? Doesn't seem to bother any slutz that URS doesn't use the full N-word. Let's try it elsewhere: The Great River 1N. Nope; doesn't bother me.

Some threatening letters will go out. People will change their printed promo blather. "N" will become a popular letter. The end.

(Btw, Jules, I read your kudos for the N12 somewhere when I was digging up old posts, checked it out and it's really great. Now I've got one and I love it. So thanks.)

title · 11th October 2005

and riddle me this? will MR. RUPERT NEVE actually see any of that settlement?????!!!!!

if not its BS......like the monster lawsuites..... stike

dj_who · 11th October 2005

I would advise AMS to research how gibson benefited from suing PRS.

XHipHop · 11th October 2005

What's with that $799 clone i keep seeing in the back of magazines?

Sorry if i'm a little off topic but I keep forgetting to look it up online and I can't remember the name.

warhead · 11th October 2005

The Chameleon Labs 7602?

War

XHipHop · 11th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by warhead

The Chameleon Labs 7602?

War

That's the one. Do you know it?

warhead · 11th October 2005

Yup, tis nice indeed.

War

XHipHop · 11th October 2005

I think Oram should sue them all...he invented British EQ damnit!

RKrizman · 11th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

AMS Neve have stated clearly that they are keen to stop anyone from using their name & likeness on 'clone' equipment and plan to persue with action against any people continuing to do so...

Will this spell the end of the clones?

Some funny ironies here, expecially since AMS Neve is using the name of someone who is no longer affiliated with them. In a way, that makes their own 1073 a clone. The only difference is that they purchased the trademark.

If Vintech purchased the Neve trademark from AMS would their 1073 then suddenly be the "real" one?

-R

**Lindell** · 11th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by XHipHop

I think Oram should sue them all...he invented British EQ damnit!

aahahahahahahhaaaa

max cooper · 11th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by title

and riddle me this? will MR. RUPERT NEVE actually see any of that settlement?????!!!!!

if not its BS......like the monster lawsuites..... stike

Will Rupert Neve have to change the name of his company a la Robert Moog in the UK?

But the AMS Neve 1073's etc are quite a bit pricier than the clones usually are. Maybe AMS is thinking of releasing a less expensive preamp?

Nah.

darrelherbert · 11th October 2005

Gibson guitars recently lost it's suit against Paul Reed Smith that attempted to stop PRS from selling a somewhat similar guitar to the Les Paul (single cutaway, double hum, trapeze bridge).

http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3846505

Silver Sonya · 11th October 2005

Send AMS a link to that story.

The email subject heading should be "RE: PRECEDENT FOR STUPIDITY."

-- c

T_R_S · 11th October 2005

Why do you think there are no more amps in Amp Farm?

Ziggy!! · 11th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by title

and riddle me this? will MR. RUPERT NEVE actually see any of that settlement?????!!!!!

if not its BS......like the monster lawsuites..... stike

No... Mr. Rupert N. sold his last name long ago...

Ziggy!! · 11th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrelherbert

Gibson guitars recently lost it's suit against Paul Reed Smith that attempted to stop PRS from selling a somewhat similar guitar to the Les Paul (single cutaway, double hum, trapeze bridge).

http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3846505

What seperates that from this can be seen here though. Have a read through these websites...

http://www.vintech-audio.com

http://www.brentaverill.com

Now try and argue that the origin of some of those designs and layouts are anything but Neve. One thing you won't find on the PRS website or PRS guitar is any reference to Gibson. Those websites state that they are Neve designs and use original Neve model numbers.

darrelherbert · 11th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggy!!

What seperates that from this can be seen here though. Have a read through these websites...

http://www.vintech-audio.com

http://www.brentaverill.com

Now try and argue that the origin of some of those designs and layouts are anything but Neve. One thing you won't find on the PRS website or PRS guitar is any reference to Gibson. Those websites state that they are Neve designs and use original Neve model numbers.

I see your point. AMS could probably stop a lot of people from using the Neve name with simple cease and desist letters. Gibson sends them out all the time. Perhaps we'll see a lot of "N-style" preamps marketed the same way you see S-style, T-style, or LP-style guitars for sale. This won't spell the end of clones, they'll just be marketed differently.

Broken · 12th October 2005

This smells like a Tom Meisner thing to me

XHipHop · 12th October 2005

I hope this doesn't mean an end to the Aurora stuff. I'm a fan...

Ziggy!! · 12th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrelherbert

I see your point. AMS could probably stop a lot of people from using the Neve name with simple cease and desist letters. Gibson sends them out all the time. Perhaps we'll see a lot of "N-style" preamps marketed the same way you see S-style, T-style, or LP-style guitars for sale. This won't spell the end of clones, they'll just be marketed differently.

From what Jules originally said I think thats all they are trying to do. They just want there name and front panel layout for themselves. I don't think Neve stand a chance in stopping production of clones.

Brad Blackwood · 12th October 2005

God forbid anyone stand up for their intellectual property rights, eh?

I mean, good thing people don't steal music.

Sure seems like most people only worry about intellectual property rights if the money is coming out of their pockets...

darrelherbert · 12th October 2005

Whether or not we are worried about it is irrelevant. Clones happen (hey, that should be a t-shirt - don't steal that idea!). AMS owns the name so they should be able to protect it, but if you're making cars (for example) it's impossible to copyright 4 tires and a steering wheel.

indie · 12th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Blackwood

God forbid anyone stand up for their intellectual property rights, eh?

I mean, good thing people don't steal music.

Sure seems like most people only worry about intellectual property rights if the money is coming out of their pockets...

Absolutely
thumbsup

thumbsup

nukmusic · 13th October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by max cooper

Will Rupert Neve have to change the name of his company a la Robert Moog in the UK?

But the AMS Neve 1073's etc are quite a bit pricier than the clones usually are. Maybe AMS is thinking of releasing a less expensive preamp?

Nah.

my thought on this is that maybe their sales aren't up to par like they wanted. Maybe they have figure out that slutz love their gear but most don't like the high prices, especially when there are so many similar units at much better prices.

So the real question is, will sales increase with the competition eliminated

Maybe its a "smart ass" from SAE

nukmusic · 13th October 2005

P.S.

just wit til they start cloning mix engineers

You'll be able to get a great mix for 1/4 of the price

dolo · 13th October 2005

this si actually the dumbiest shit i'v heard. unless they have a patent on this stuff the can't do shit besides stopping you from using the name. and even that has it's limits.y as much as i like their gear,... dfegad

10th October 2005	#1
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: A Yank in London, UK Posts: 17,356 Thread Starter 1 Review written	Neve clones - the final chapter AMS Neve have stated clearly that they are keen to stop anyone from using their name & likeness on 'clone' equipment and plan to persue with action against any people continuing to do so... Will this spell the end of the clones? __________________ Jules Add your reviews to the new reviews area! Gearslutz on Facebook Follow my GS picks on Twitter

10th October 2005	#2
Silver Sonya Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 6,978	Can't we all just get along? That's going to be a very expensive directive to pursue, depending on how exacting they want to be about it. Neve has allowed the brand name to lapse into a general use kind of area of culture. (The way that "Coke" means "cola" and "Kleenex" means "tissue"). People use it as audio shorthand now. Are they going to sue people who have built products around "tribute" circuit topologies, or are they going to just send cease-and-desists to people who reference the name in their marketing? How far will they take the intellectual property jihad? Either way, they risk generating a lot of resentment all around, amidst both manufacturers and consumers. I would tell them to "just relax, imitation's the sincerest form of..." etc. but somehow I doubt their legal department would be soothed by that kinda speech. This is a bad day for the diversity of excellent outboard equipment we all currently enjoy and it's a good day for lawyers. In other words, it's a bad day. --- c

10th October 2005	#3
matt thomas Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Zealand/Switzerland/guitar case Posts: 7,949	yeah, the lawyers are going to be the only ones that'll benefit from this narco __________________ Steve Gadd, New York Brass, David Kahne, Abbey Road Mastering, all featuring on Lesley Meguid (my wife)'s album "The Truth About Love Songs", out now! Check out some previews on www.itunes.com/lesleymeguid or Lesley Meguid on Facebook - neve, fairchild, m49 for vox etc..

11th October 2005	#8
XHipHop Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,856	What's with that $799 clone i keep seeing in the back of magazines? Sorry if i'm a little off topic but I keep forgetting to look it up online and I can't remember the name. __________________

11th October 2005	#16
darrelherbert Gear interested Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10	Legal precedent? Gibson guitars recently lost it's suit against Paul Reed Smith that attempted to stop PRS from selling a somewhat similar guitar to the Les Paul (single cutaway, double hum, trapeze bridge). http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3846505

10th October 2005	#5
Empty Planet Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Beautiful NYC Posts: 1,161	What's going to prevent people from just saying "Hey, it's our 'N Series.'" ? Doesn't seem to bother any slutz that URS doesn't use the full N-word. Let's try it elsewhere: The Great River 1N. Nope; doesn't bother me. Some threatening letters will go out. People will change their printed promo blather. "N" will become a popular letter. The end. (Btw, Jules, I read your kudos for the N12 somewhere when I was digging up old posts, checked it out and it's really great. Now I've got one and I love it. So thanks.)

11th October 2005	#6
title Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: California Posts: 154	and riddle me this? will MR. RUPERT NEVE actually see any of that settlement?????!!!!! if not its BS......like the monster lawsuites..... stike

11th October 2005	#7
dj_who Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PA, USA Posts: 582	I would advise AMS to research how gibson benefited from suing PRS.

11th October 2005	#9
warhead Jai guru deva om Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 11,910	The Chameleon Labs 7602? War

11th October 2005	#18
T_R_S Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canuk Posts: 5,163	Why do you think there are no more amps in Amp Farm?

12th October 2005	#22
Broken Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 287	This smells like a Tom Meisner thing to me

12th October 2005	#25
Brad Blackwood Craneslut Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The home of Rock-n-Roll, Memphis, TN Posts: 1,896	God forbid anyone stand up for their intellectual property rights, eh? I mean, good thing people don't steal music. Sure seems like most people only worry about intellectual property rights if the money is coming out of their pockets... __________________ euphonic masters

13th October 2005	#29
nukmusic Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dallas, TX / New Orleans, LA Posts: 4,667	P.S. just wit til they start cloning mix engineers You'll be able to get a great mix for 1/4 of the price

13th October 2005	#30
dolo Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Weehawken, NJ Posts: 497	this si actually the dumbiest shit i'v heard. unless they have a patent on this stuff the can't do shit besides stopping you from using the name. and even that has it's limits.y as much as i like their gear,... dfegad

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The End of the Neve Clones!!!!	TonyBelmont	So much gear, so little time!	83	28th December 2007 08:07 AM
New Neve clones	Kyle Ashley	So much gear, so little time!	3	22nd May 2006 10:35 PM
NEVE 1072 1081 or clones	fuzzface777	High end	19	24th October 2005 10:24 PM
Tales Of The Amazing NEVE 5402 Chapter 1	Rea	So much gear, so little time!	0	14th September 2003 07:28 PM