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Roland Attacks MT-32 Emulator Project
canadacow writes "The MT-32 emulation project, which is an offshoot of the DosBox project recently received a cease and desist letter regarding the use of the PCM samples from the synthesizer. Normally this would be an open and shut case, but it just so happens that U.S. Copyright law (specifically 17 U.S.C. section 405) shows that Roland lost their copyright because nowhere did they explicity register it, and registering (or atleast copyright marking) was required before 1989. The MT-32, of course, was produced in 1987. You can find more details at the emulation forum on Vogons" In particular, read through this thread for Canadacow's response to Roland's lawyers, for the type of response that most lawyers probably don't expect from most programmers.
I'm impressed with the apparent command of the relevant law here, and would assume it's going to bring some respect as well as a good resolution to the case.
What I'm wondering is how you acquired it. This kind of stuff seems so opaqe to me...
A company hires lawyers, lawyers convince the judge and judge judges accordingly.
Now, if a company has a even remotely competent lawyers who research the case and the denfendant has a hack of a lawyer who really thinks that whatever it says in the lawbook is the law, the company has already won.
Law is not like programming. The law in the book means whatever a skilled lawyer wants it to mean. Wake up!
BOO! TERRO
The original Roland MT-32 was released in 1987, but what about the Roland CM-32L? The CM-32L was a later model that was internally identical to the MT-32, except that it had a larger ROM space that contained twice as many ROM samples: the original MT-32 set, plus a bunch of new sample banks unique to the CM-32L.
I've never owned an original MT-32, but I do own a still-working CM-32L, and I can confirm that it is 100% backward-compatible to the MT-32, and sounds exactly the same as an MT-32, even when programmed to use custom MT-32 patches (instrument definitions). Many games from the MT-32 era used such custom patches extensively, as did the sequencing software I used at the time, Ballade.
I'm not sure exactly when the CM-32L came out (I can't find the information on Google), but there's a good chance it was 1989 or later. If so, then how does that affect the copyright issue?
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Actually, I am of the opinion that less an less investigation is going into cases before suing someone. I don't wish to go on ad-neasueam here. But please recall the alleged (then dropped) DMCA charges by Vivendi against bnetd, the group alleging that GenToo was distributing PACMAN. Please recall that DMCA allegation are made under the onus of perjury. If you make a DMCA claim you are stating that you believe this to be infringement. if its not you have perjured yourself. Then we have the whole SCO circus who aren't even following established practice as to stop the alleged infringement.
So in short, no I believe less and less companies are researching before they file suits.
The MT-32 was the heart of the Roland LAPC1 sound card. Most older PC gamers will remember it, as the Roland LAPC1 was the sound card, back in the days of Wing Commander, X-Wing, etc.
Combined with a SoundBlaster, the LAPC1 was all the sound you needed. Ahh, those were the days, fighting the Kilrathi and the Empire with nothing but the stars as your audience...
Of course, it didn't come cheap. My LAPC1 cost 300 pounds, which was/is around $450 US. Heck, I've still got it lying around, intact with its original packaging and documentation. I wonder what this baby's worth on eBay?
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg