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Roland Backs Down On MT-32 Emulator

Posted by timothy on from the better-part-of-valor dept.

canadacow writes "This is a follow up to the cease and desist letter the MT-32 project received (Original Story). Roland, unable to find documentationg establishing a copyright on the MT-32's ROM, has yielded to the project and allowed distribution of the emulator to continue. On my page www.artworxinn.com/alex I've again posted the emulator along with the legal developments as they happened after the receipt of the initial C&D letter. This development was largely due in part to the legal support of the Electronic Frontier Foundation."

3 of 161 comments (clear)

  1. A Victory for People by patricksevenlee · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In a world where companies are always trying to squeeze every last marginal penny out of us "consumers", they usually want to do so by abandoning valid and proven technologies in order to force us to upgrade to the latest doo-hickey for the sake of upgrading. Musicians generally don't need "the lastest thing", much to the chagrin of big companies who are trying to get us to go digital. Tube guitar amps, transistor-based effects pedals, well designed classic style guitars from the 50/60's (Fender Stratocasters, Telecasters, Gibson Les Pauls, Martin acoustics), class A discrete mic preamps, pre-World War 2 German microphones, these items are still in use today and still built this way because quite simply, they work. Not to mention the quality factor. If companies had their way, they'd be making wood *veneer* electronics guitars a la IKEA instead of with solid ash/mahogany bodies. But oh, since it doesn't sound as good, they'll make up for it by putting in digital pickups and then running it through a mock tube circuit which really is just a little light show to trick the plebs. As a synthesizer player, I still like my old analog synths (Roland Jupiter, ARP 2600, Oberheim Matrix). Yet it's funny because these days, companies make these digital synths to emulate what was already done and call it "progress".

    1. Re:A Victory for People by jkantola · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Errr....

      i think you're confused. What you're saying is pretty much true as far as computer software & hardware goes -- i believe we really don't need every latest version that's being offered.

      But musicians at the forefront have always been quick to adopt the newest technology and the most advanced instruments. B.B. King picked up his Lucille. Jimi Hendrix didn't settle for an old acoustic, he stomped the wah-wah. Pink Floyd and the tape delays, Keith Emerson, Bernie Worrel & Jarre with their synthesizers, and I won't even begin with hiphop, electro etc. that's using ANYTHING available. Do you think the present day fragmentation in musical genres would've ever occured if everyone had sticked with the cembalo?? Or think of the Stradivarius violins, or the Hohner piano. They were all THE technological advancements back in their days. Or shall I remind you of the revolution that computers have caused in the recording industry? You can have a top-notch digital home recording environment these days for the price of the ticket you had to pay in the seventies to fly to Abbey Road ...

      Technologies DO mature. That's why there's still the Shure SM58, and the Les Paul, and Floyd Rose tremolo. That's why we get updated versions of synthesizers that 'only' mimic the vintage sound better (never mind that the racks needed in the seventies would fill a small truck...)

      In my opinion, Roland has played a significant part in the evolution of musical instruments. Like you say, the old instruments ARE being actively used to create new music, and in this regard I can see why Roland would want to be precise when their property is under consideration. Yet while they can't find a direct evidence of a problem, they happily let the emulator continue its existence. Wish all companies were as level-headed and fair.

      (But I do hope that Roland can't come up with the required evidence -- free beer is fine by me ;-))

  2. Win the battle, lose the war by j0hndoe · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The sad thing is, this depends on so many technicalities, it is not likely there will be another "victory" like this for a long time to come, becuase the relevant laws have all been strengthened in the last 20 years. In the US, Copyright lasts (practically) forever now, with no registration or renewal requirements. Unless there is a major shift in the laws, there is nothing being produced today that will come this close to becoming public domain in 20-30 years.

    So, while I'm glad the MT-32 emulation project can continue, I don't see much chance of any other more cheerful stories like this coming out.