Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on August 18, 2009 at 5:58am

Oh no, Ted, I didn't mean to infer that one _should_ copy the lowebow. No not at all. Copy for the purpose of saying its the same _is_ ridiculous. And I guess I meant that the basic design using the dowels is the design similarity. My bad.

Lowe has the absolute right to protect his secrets. No doubt. I have a few of my own! And I really didn't mean to degrade the lowebow. I have hear Pat play this online and it _is_ a unique instrument indeed!

You know, a good suggestion for him _is_ to patent the solutions. I tout Open Source, but there are tons of instances where using Open Source and proprietary [read: patented] solutions are done. This protects the originator from such fraud. You might want to think about that with your TCRockers too, eh?

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Permalink Reply by Tres Seaver on August 18, 2009 at 7:34am

Wes Yates said:

Lowe has the absolute right to protect his secrets. No doubt. I have a few of my own! And I really didn't mean to degrade the lowebow. I have hear Pat play this online and it _is_ a unique instrument indeed! You know, a good suggestion for him _is_ to patent the solutions. I tout Open Source, but there are tons of instances where using Open Source and proprietary [read: patented] solutions are done. This protects the originator from such fraud. You might want to think about that with your TCRockers too, eh?

I would say that the "correct" IP protection for the concern Ted voiced (folks passing off a cheap copy as the "real McCoy") is to trademark the name "lowebow": that is what trademarks or for. Pursuing one or patents would be more complicated / expensive, and would be useful if what you wanted was to prevent others from using the technique, rather than the name.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on August 18, 2009 at 7:44am

Right. Trademark, yes.

Thinking further, here is suggestion: Knowing at our company patents are quite expensive and exhaustive (we build datacenter equipment), one could pass a legal notice not to copy or reverse engineer the instrument when sold. Problem with that is 1) how to enforce, 2) that's a challenge to do something like copy and 3) you're insulting the intelligence of the buyer. Bad solution.

So I thought, what if Lowe put in a notarized certificate of authenticity to "ensure that the instrument purchased was genuine." In essence, the buyer now has an object of pride in ownership. Why would they do anything unethical...? Cheap and effective to a degree.

I can see a case where given opportunity, someone will copy, and improve upon a design.

Tres Seaver said:

I would say that the "correct" IP protection for the concern Ted voiced (folks passing off a cheap copy as the "real McCoy") is to trademark the name "lowebow": that is what trademarks or for. Pursuing one or patents would be more complicated / expensive, and would be useful if what you wanted was to prevent others from using the technique, rather than the name.

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on August 18, 2009 at 7:53am

This is all very interesting. Just a short note. As a builder, you can build anything you like. No one can stop you. You will only run into problems, if you try to manufacture and sell a product that is copyright protected. As far as trade secrets, isn't that what all great inventors, craftman, and artists do...keep it on the down low.
One last point...if you build something of quality, it will have your brand upon it. Others may try to duplicate it, but customers will always seek out the original. It is just like Shane...he started building again...it is my guess if he reproduces his oringinal Catfish Macanudo Portofino Cafe CBG...even good builders will want one for their collection. The real truth in marketing is there is always more to a product than what appears on the surface. Enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on August 18, 2009 at 5:32pm

JOKE!!!! THIS IS A JOKE!!!! IF THIS MAKES YOU MAD>>>GET A GRIP!!! PICTURE TITLE>>>> HOW HARD CAN IT BE?

LIFE IS TOO IMPORTANT TO TAKE SERIOUSLY!!!!! THE BEST, WICHITA SAM

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Permalink Reply by Brian Lemin on August 18, 2009 at 8:46pm

I certainly have it on my list to make a "Lowebow". I will never have seen one, I have seen pictures of course, i doubt that mine will sound like his and I certainly will not call it a Lowebow or try to sell it as such.

I believe that even if it was patented, you can make one copy of it for personal use without infringing copyright. The other thing about copying a patented instrument, you only have to make a smallest change to the specifications to demonstrate that you have built a different instrument.

From my historical interest, I see many two necked instruments, I also see many lutes with an extra bass string away from the the chordal notes. If one wanted to do the research i am pretty sure there would be a sort of "Lowebow" out there. I am not inferring that he copied one of them, just that the principle is not that unique.

Make it and enjoy it. Don't pass it off as anything other than your interpretation of a Lowebow. Preferably don't even mention the name Lowebow.

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Permalink Reply by Joker on August 18, 2009 at 11:32pm

I think the only way building a Lowebow style cbg would become a problem with John is if you were to try to sell it as a "lowebow". If you are going to build one for yourself I don't see how he would have a problem.
I plan on building one for myself simply because I can't afford the real thing, same reason I built my first cbg rather than buying a strat.

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Permalink Reply by Joker on August 18, 2009 at 11:38pm

I would also comment that I don't think John has any "trade secrets". I have handled and stummed on his lowebows personally and have talked shop with him. He will tell you exactly how he builds them. Whether or not anyone is able to make a good copy I would like to see. John will even sell you his hand made pickups if you want that authentic look. He just does not want you trying to pass it off as lowebow when your done!

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Permalink Reply by Hip Bone Bellaire on August 19, 2009 at 1:51am

OK all this LoweBow stuff has me interested is seeing what exacly this does. I've seen pictures, I read that what this is, but don't see any close ups. I've gone to Johns website looking for more of an explanation and also pricing BUT it doesn't look as though this is being marketed with the media to back it up. I have not actually seen a video of anyone playing only the instrument without the drums and cymbals being hit like someone is on speed... So any help one video's or pricing might be helpful.... Thanks...

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Permalink Reply by Cigar Box Nation on August 19, 2009 at 3:35am

I love the smell of napalm in the morning...

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on August 19, 2009 at 3:52am

Shane,

Are you saying I'm the match to Johnny's gas bag?

grinns,

Sam

Shane Speal said:

I love the smell of napalm in the morning...

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on August 19, 2009 at 3:54am

What it is, what it was, what it shall be.......

Johnny Lowebow said:

Sam you are certainly have a chip on you shoulder. I hope you can work out your problems.

Wichita Sam said:

Ted wrote....
"No one can fault Johnny for protecting his unique, evolving design. If the shoe was on the other foot and Sam came up with an innovative instrument, dedicated years to refine it and which was his source of income, I'm sure that there would be a new rule".....

Ted,

Don't be so sure what I would or wouldn't do... Even though you live by your craft, you are generous with information that will help others build (to a point)a design that is clearly TCRocker. It is truly that generousity of spirit that defines the best of the CBG community and which is always the point of departure in our "appreciation" of the LowBow and it's creator.

I would really rather that you didn't put me in the same boat with John..... even in a hypothetical.

the best,

Sam

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